JOHANNESBURG, 9 July 2012 (IRIN) – As a gay man living in Tanzania, Cassim Mustapha could have faced imprisonment, but prosecutions under the country’s Sexual Offences Act are rare, and the bigger threat came from his own community. After one of his neighbours attacked him with an axe leaving a deep wound in his head, Mustapha fled and applied for asylum in Malawi, the first country he reached. Persecution relating to an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity is increasingly recognized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and in refugee law as grounds for claiming asylum. Most such claims are... Continue Reading
Broken radiation machines, as a result of poor hospital and provincial healthcare administration, have made receiving life-saving cancer treatment impossible to access for many South African cancer patients. This is because suppliers of these specialised cancer machines have allegedly refused to fix them because the Gauteng Department of Health hasn’t paid outstanding supplier bills. This situation, and continued administrative foul ups, has left Anthony Naledi in a dire position. In September last year, Anthony was diagnosed with colon cancer and managed to secure an appointment for his radiation treatment. He lives in Vanderbijlpark, so he has to leave his home... Continue Reading
Liberty Medical Scheme (LMS) claims paying ability has once again earned the scheme a strong and enviable rating of AA- from Global Credit Rating (GCR), reaffirming its position among the top-performing medical schemes in South Africa. The Scheme rating outlook has also been upgraded to reflect a stable position which confirms the sustainability of the Scheme going forward. “The Scheme also comfortably maintains reserve and solvency levels well above statutory requirements, all of which will give members the assurance that their money is in good hands and managed with care and diligence,” says LMS Executive Principal Officer, Andrew Edwards. “Despite... Continue Reading
By Elias Mhegera – Amid the doctors’ strike in Tanzania policy analysts met in Dar es Salaam recently, and they said that the on-going crises at the major hospitals are due to poor budgetary allocation, and to mismanagement of funds by some leaders in various Government circles. The analysts say the low budget allocated to the health sector is against the Abuja Declaration on Health Equity. They warned that the health sector is deteriorating fast, and it needed financial intervention. This assessment came in the wake of a Policy Forum debate on 29 June 2012, at the British Council, where... Continue Reading
Continuously striving to improve quality of care and offering benefits that cater for the needs of members at each life stage, as well as working closely with doctors and hospitals to achieve the best possible results, South Africa’s medical schemes remain a valuable resource, says Andrew Edwards, Executive Principal Officer of Liberty Medical Scheme (LMS). Medical schemes offer members a number of benefits that considerably enhance their lives. Via medical cover, members have access to some of the best doctors, hospitals and life-saving procedures in the world. In addition, medical schemes pay for many other healthcare needs such as nursing,... Continue Reading
