BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
A concerned man has called for an investigation into the health scheme Mustard Seed International (MSI).
The man whose family became a victim of the scheme was among some of the many who expressed similar concerns about the scheme’s service.
The man who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed to Island Sun that his family encountered difficulties after engaging with the scheme in July last year.
He said that he had discussed with the head of MSI and reached an agreement for his brother’s travel to the Philippines for a medical operation.
However, to cover the surgery around SBD100,000 to 150,000, the family raised funds to support and facilitate the trip and operation in the Philippines.
The family then raised a total of SBD$40,000.
The man said they intended to make direct payment to the hospital in the Philippines but third parties are not permitted to deposit funds directly into their account.
“So, the only option is MSI. We transferred $SBD 40,000 with Mustard Seed after we agreed on the arrangements and I instructed the Boss to inform the doctors that the payment was made through MSI,’’ he said.
However, he said that the MSI boss later sent him bills not long after they made the payment.
“It has come to my notice that she offset the entire $40,000. Our verbal agreement is to allow our family to deposit funds through the MSI account facilitating easier withdrawal in the Philippines to cover the entire operation. Following this, we can address any additional expenses as we previously discussed,” he explained.
When the man enquired why the MSI boss offset the money her response was that the patient was a non-member status.
“The understanding was to allocate $40,000 with the family responsible for any additional bills. The family prepared to deposit an additional $20,000, at that time, following my verbal agreement with MSI Boss to settle outstanding bills post-surgery.
The spokesman said that the family had already covered various expenses, including medical treatment, consultation fees, airfare, and accommodation upon their arrival in the Philippines.
“In the bill, MSI detailed all the individual services provided, including an administration fee of $12,000. Additionally, there was a transportation fee for travel from the airport to the accommodation,” he said.
He expressed concern regarding excessive charges related to taxi services and the assignment of medical personnel, which he believed should fall under the $12,000 coverage.
“Taxi fares typically range from 500 to 600 pesos, approximately equivalent to SBD 100, yet the charges incurred amounted to SBD 1,000 for two trips. This was an unjust financial burden on the family,’’ he said.
“Upon our arrival, as they were fully booked, we had to find alternative accommodation, for which I was also responsible for the payment. MSI even requested that I reimburse the two months’ rent that I had already settled. I thought to myself, “MSI is not sincere.” he said.
He said that MSI began to intimidate his older brother, threatening to evict him and prevent the surgery from taking place after his family decided to pull off from the MSI.
“As a result, we opted for a more affordable hospital. We managed to raise funds, and with the assistance of our Member of Parliament, the surgery was successfully conducted,’’ he said.
He said that, to his knowledge, MSI members consistently express complaints.
“Members do not understand how MSI charges for their services. The costs for services rendered in the Philippines are significantly lower than what MSI imposes. I believe that MSI is exploiting every patient. However, the true patient is the government, and MSI is benefiting from this arrangement.” said the concerned man.
He explained that MSI began as a health scheme catering to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) but eventually transitioned into an insurance company after it was running down.
He said that the MSI intended to expand into various countries.
“However, in Papua New Guinea, MSI was discontinued due to the high and costly agreements. Most MSI clients in PNG have conveyed this to me. The issue arises when MSI acts as an insurance provider or third party, which leads to the exploitation of patients and the government,” he said.
When Island Sun contacted the MSI for comment, a statement from the MSI said that people with concerns should go to their clinic to discuss their issues.
“We call on those people to come forward and discuss the issue with us rather than going to the media,” said MSI in response.
Last year the Leader of the opposition Matthew Wale called for the termination of the medical scheme for Members of Parliament when he questioned the additional 1.5 million for medical assessment under the Government budget on the floor of parliament.
The DCGA Executive Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Mustard Seed International on April 1, 2020.
“What is the status of the arrangements? I assume this is for the medical scheme. When would the contract lapse and what are the options going forward?’’ Wale questions when he spoke during the Bills – Committee of Supply 2025 Appropriation Bill 2024.
In response, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said he doesn’t have a specific date when the contract will lapse but understands the arrangements are continuing.
“The 1.5 million goes to the current provider. The allocation here, as I understand also had this insurance scheme that covers MPs. But also, apart from that, we do have the referrals for the MPs for medical checks, locally or overseas that this heading is catering for,’’ said Manele.
“There are discussions on whether the arrangement would continue or not,’’ said Manele.
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