admin
Harare Bureau
Premier Service Medical Aid Society board members are still performing their duties only as an ‘‘interim’’ while working on logistics of either a quicker annual general meeting or the usual meeting slated for June where their fate would be determined, PSMAS board member Cde George Charamba has said.
In an interview with Star FM on Thursday evening, Cde Charamba admitted that the board snoozed but said it does not matter whether it was out of ignorance or it was simply sleeping on the duty.
He said in fact the board has already informed the regulator, the Ministry of Health and Child Care that the whole PSMAS board was ready to resign for failing its members.
“We said, let’s on tactical grounds keep the board, use the board to do certain changes and then quickly either precipitate an AGM at which the members would pass a vote of no confidence or to change the board completely or through an AGM and that is the process, which is happening now,” said Cde Charamba.
He said to date, PSMAS board chairperson Meisie Namasasu had left the board while another board member George Chabururuka resigned as Premier Service Medical Investments chairperson.
“Whatever board structures there are presently, they are only there in the interim because come June or any earlier date at which an AGM may be called, we are all going to get ourselves vetted except for the three representatives of Government who are there now because we are not subject to the AGM,” Cde Charamba.
“So, yes, Zimbabweans are angry and they have every reason to be angry,” he added.
Cde Charamba also explained the PSMAS board composition saying three members are seconded by Government to represent its interests as a major stakeholder, one is a technical person to give direction to the board while the rest are chosen by PSMAS members at an AGM.
It is the prerogative of the seconding institution to recall its representative or the officials resign on their own.
The rest of the board members are either dissolved or retained on the board by PSMAS members during an AGM. This AGM is either called by the board itself or by PSMAS members.
According to PSMAS constitution at least 10 percent of its membership could call for a quicker AGM.
The PSMAS saga was precipitated by the fact that its financial status was in quandary while their salary bill did not match its operational costs.
Top executives at both PSMAS and PSMI were taking home more than much as US$500,000 in salaries and allowances every month yet the society struggled to meet its obligation.
PSMAS members continue to be directed to PSMI institutions contrary to medical aid regulations.
According to Statutory Instrument 330 of 2000, no medical aid society should direct its members to specific service providers but members should get treatment from any provider of choice and the the society should reimburse accordingly.
Online Reporter