adminIn a statement, renowned banker and Gamas board chairman Mr Admore Kandlela said the coming on board of an agricultural based medical aid society was something that should be celebrated as it would go a long way in enhancing health for farmers and agricultural workers in general.
“It is an irony that the agriculture industry, which is the mainstay of Zimbabwe’s economy did not have a genuine medical aid fund to cater for the wellness of farmers until recently. Gamas’ main objective is to promote wellness and create healthy workers who will produce more for the country in the agriculture industry. I am sure we are all aware that a healthy worker is a highly productive one,” said Mr Kandlela.
“The medical aid society was born out of the transformation of Grainmed Medical Aid Society (GrainMed), which used to cover Grain Marketing Board employees and their beneficiaries only.”
Mr Kandlela said the transformation of Grainmed to Gamas was approved at the society’s annual general meeting held in Harare recently.
“Members approved at our AGM that we extend cover to people in the agriculture industry under two special funds namely Grainmed and Agricultural Medical Fund (Agrimed). Grainmed continues to cover GMB employees and their beneficiaries only while Agrimed is covering agricultural people in Zimbabwe.
“Farmers and all agricultural workers in general are free to access the five medical aid packages that were being offered by Agrimed. These are Agrimed Platinum, Gold, Diamond, Silver and Bronze. The packages meet every type of worker and every size of pocket in the entire agriculture industry.
“The society also offers medical aid with funeral cash benefits, a concept that enables a member to pay subscriptions, which will give two benefits, access to medical treatment and related benefits plus funeral cover in the case of death,” said Mr Kandlela.
Meanwhile, Gamas managing director, Mr Jabulani Dhlakama said the response by the agriculture industry in Zimbabwe was overwhelming.
“Our target market includes the entire agricultural market in Zimbabwe that is horticulture, general farming, aqua (fisheries and crocodiles), timber and plantations and wildlife.
“Gamas has managed to gain a foothold in the agricultural sector, with the capturing of the Agricultural Training Colleges under Agrimed’s Student Farmer Package. The society’s goal for the next twelve months is to drive membership in the agricultural industry upwards starting with the Student Farmer Package.
“Gamas is supporting the agriculture industry HIV and Aids policy, which was launched in 2006 by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Dr Joseph Made,” said Mr Dhlakama.
He said with healthcare funding, the dream of managing HIV and Aids challenges would be realised.
Online Reporter