Hospitals deceiving Manto?

Last updated: Thursday, January 31, 2008 Print

South Africa's four private hospital groups tried to deceive Health Minster Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on tariff increases, says the trade union Solidarity.

"They are trying to pull the wool over Tshabalala-Msimang's eyes by announcing that their fees would not go up by more than the inflation rate," said Solidarity's deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann in a statement.

He said the union was in possession of the latest tariff increase structures for the four hospital groups.

Outrageous increases
He slammed the increases as being outrageous. He singled out Netcare.

"Netcare wants to increase surgical costs and ward fees by between 34,19 and 36,45 percent, while theatre costs will go up by 80,8 percent," said Herman. He said in 2007 Netcare posted profits of almost R3 billion.

"We get the impression that these tariff increases are solely aimed at enriching shareholders, instead of striking a balance between the interests of clients and shareholders," Hermann said.

Solidarity is planning a campaign to inform its members of the cost increases announced by the hospital groups.

"Later this week, we shall introduce a website to provide a comparison between the tariffs charged by various hospital groups, as well as a comparison between their price increases."

Solidarity will launch a medical fund, SolVita, in Centurion. – (Sapa)

January 2008