7 days ago
Discovery Health denies discrimination following Section59 report
JOHANNESBURG - Discovery Health has questioned the Section 59 inquiry released on Monday.
In its reaction, the medical aid scheme's CEO, Dr Ron Whelan, denied any form of discrimination and that the findings were flawed in methodology.
"Discovery has no way of identifying race of members or providers. We work exclusively on a numbering system," Whelan says.
Section 59 inquiry found that medical aid schemes have acted unfairly and in a racially discriminatory manner towards black healthcare providers.
This inquiry stems from complaints dating back to 2019.
Members of the National Health Care Professionals Association (NHCPA) and Solutionist Thinkers, made public allegations that they were being discriminated against by medical schemes.
Additionally, they alleged that their claims were being withheld based on their race and ethnicity.
The affected parties appealed to the Minister of Health for intervention.
Whelan, however, insists that processes are compliant and ethical.
Meanwhile, health professionals who complained that they were being treated unfairly have been vindicated.
Among those who welcomed the report was the Solutionist Thinkers Group which represented over 200 doctors in this probe.
The group's chairperson, Nomaefese Gatsheni, says they are thrilled by the results but ashamed of those who have rejected the report.
