Fs Teachers Denied Medical Care Due To Non-payment Of Medical Aid

The National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa NAPTOSA says 20 to 30 000 teachers in the Free State have been denied medical care due to the non-payment of medical aid contributions by the Free State Department of Education.

Its believed the department has been deducting the contributions from employees, but the contributions have not been paid to GEMS.

NAPTOSA has demanded urgent intervention from the Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and the National Treasury.

Executive Director at NAPTOSA, Basil Manuel says, We got to know about this on Friday late afternoon and Saturday morning. We then sent emails to the MEC, to the HOD and to the Premier to ask for verification. We also asked GEMS to give us verification of the payment or non-payment. And weve had a response giving us a detail that the money is on its way but thats not good enough.

Manuel adds: So this morning, we will be reaching out to the province as well as to GEMS to try and get a clear understanding of whether it is the entire province and the entire public service in the province whose medical aid hasnt been paid. If its a sector or exactly what the situation is.