GEMS is currently the largest restricted medical scheme in South Africa. It serves nearly 2.45 million beneficiaries. Membership is strictly limited to public servants and their dependants. To encourage membership, government departments provide subsidies of up to two-thirds of the monthly cost. However, this benefit is only available to those who remain with GEMS. The current conflict stems from GEMS’…
Tag: Public Sector
-
GEMS Contribution Increase Sparks Union Backlash
Trade unions in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) have rejected the Government Employees Medical Scheme’s (GEMS) decision to raise member contributions in 2026. The scheme implemented a 9.8% increase from January 2026. It will then apply a revised 9.5% increase from 1 April 2026. Unions say the hikes are economically unjustifiable and socially regressive. They argue the increases…
-
GEMS Tariff Intervention Underway Amid Affordability Concerns
The South African government has stepped into the controversy surrounding sharp increases in contributions to the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi told Parliament that officials will engage with GEMS trustees regarding what he called “unaffordable tariffs.” This follows a 9.8% hike in GEMS member contributions this year, on top of a 13.4% increase…
-
Stark Warning Against NHI: Lessons from Gauteng
Gauteng’s Department of Health is in crisis. It runs South Africa’s largest provincial health system. Its condition provides a stark warning against NHI. It highlights the significant dangers posed by the new Act. The department is plagued by mismanagement. It suffers from deep corruption and no accountability. This raises grave concerns about the state. Is it ready to manage a…
-
Gems Premium Hike: Unions Demand Single Digits
South Africa’s largest medical scheme for public servants, Gems, is facing mounting pressure from unions. They want to limit its 2026 premium increase to single digits. This follows a controversial 13.4% hike this year. Following several years of modest increases, the double-digit rise for 2025 drew strong opposition from public sector unions. These include the Public Servants Association (PSA) and…
-
Unemployed Doctors Struggle Amid Workforce Shortages
A significant investment in South Africa’s future healthcare has been left in limbo. Hundreds of newly qualified, state-funded doctors are unable to find employment in the public sector. These unemployed doctors face challenges as they struggle to secure positions despite the urgent need in medical institutions. In the Free State alone, more than 20 doctors trained in Cuba under the…