The SA Medical and Dental Practitioners (SAMDP) Association has welcomed the Section 59 investigation’s final report on allegations of racial discrimination by the country’s largest medical schemes, calling it a “watershed moment” for the profession and country.
“For too long, black healthcare providers have suffered in silence under discriminatory practices that have no place in a democratic society,” SAMDP chair Dr Phashe Magagane said.
“We will not rest until every practitioner is treated with fairness and respect, and every patient receives equitable care.”
The Section 59 panel, chaired by advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, found that black practitioners were more likely to be investigated and penalised for alleged fraud, waste and abuse compared with their white colleagues.
The inquiry further concluded that the Medical Schemes Act lacked clear procedures to ensure fairness in fraud investigations, leaving administrators to impose systems with little oversight.
“The findings are deeply troubling,” the SAMDP said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The report confirms what many in our profession have long experienced — systemic and unfair racial discrimination against black healthcare providers by some of SA’s leading medical schemes.”
The SAMDP said the effect of those practices was harming practitioners’ livelihoods and eroding trust in the healthcare system.
“These practices have undermined the dignity, livelihoods and professional standing of black healthcare providers, and have negatively affected access to care for millions of South Africans.”
SAMDP’s endorsement of the findings contrasts sharply with the defensive stance adopted by the schemes themselves.
Discovery Health, the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and the Health Funders Association (HFA) have all rejected the report as methodologically and scientifically unsound.
“The panel’s report, if acted upon, risks severely undermining the ability of medical schemes to combat fraud and protect member funds from abuse,” Discovery said in a statement, adding that that would ultimately result in higher healthcare costs for members.
SAMDP has called for the Council for Medical Schemes, the department of health, and medical schemes to swiftly implement the report’s recommendations with clear timelines, take transparent action to end discriminatory practices, collaborate with affected practitioners to shape reforms and establish ongoing monitoring and public reporting to track progress.
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