BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Leader of the opposition Matthew Wale called for the termination of the medical scheme for Members of Parliament last year.
Wale made the call when he questioned the additional 1.5 million for medical assessment under the Government budget on the floor of parliament last year.
Wale questioned when the contract would lapse and if the 1.5 million to cover pre-existing conditions would go to the same service provider.
According to media reports, the DCGA Executive Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Mustard Seed International on 1st April 2020.
The Medical Scheme proposed Regulation 68 of 2020 PER to be renumbered as Regulation 68- It reads “There shall be a Health and Medical Care Scheme for Members of Parliament, their spouses and children with a reputable health care scheme approved by the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission following existing processes.
“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.
“Yes, 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.
He clarified that the allocation under that head (22116) Wale questioned is for MPs as per the entitlement under the PER arrangements.
Manele said that it is a contracted obligation.
“The additional 1.5 million is for MPs with pre-existing conditions. That is the clarification towards that sub-head. There are discussions on whether the arrangement would continue or not,’’ said Manele.
When asked how many have benefited from the scheme, Manele said he doesn’t have the exact figures on how many MPs benefit from that allocation.
“I don’t have the exact figure of how many MPs benefit from that allocation,’’ he said.
Wale further argued that there is a need to terminate this arrangement.
“At the very least review this matter go back some years. I don’t know, if they refund you, but not me,’’ Wale said.
He said that the service that has been provided to some of them at the very least is very unresponsive for the amount of money that the scheme is getting from the budget.
“It is not an insurance scheme to say that those with pre-existing conditions would be covered by 1.5 million. The PM will be aware of sending someone with serious pre-existing conditions overseas and 1.5 million is only for a single person.
“So, they call themselves a medical scheme, not an insurance scheme. They cannot cover the regular entitlement they anticipated. So, there is a need to terminate that and seek proper insurance with free insurance backup cover,’’ said Wale.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
