Rising costs in SA healthcare among factors cited for govt medical scheme increases, says activist

JOHANNESBURG - Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) members have raised concerns about the new membership fee increase.

The medical scheme has hiked its subscription fee to 13.4%, which will take effect in the coming year.

GEMS said the decision was a necessary step to ensure reliable and continuous healthcare services.

Education activist Hendrik Makaneta urged educators to understand the scheme's decision for the increment, saying without this adjustment, GEMS risked being unable to meet healthcare demands.

"While concerns about affordability are valid, it is essential to understand the factors which drive this increase. As GEMS principal officer, Dr Stanley Moloabi, has highlighted, the growing utilisation of healthcare benefits has created a need for additional funding, and the increase also reflects the rising costs of healthcare generally in South Africa, which are beyond the control of the scheme," Makaneta said.