Sizwe Hosmed's curator outlines hopeful plans for 2026 after curatorship

Sizwe Hosmed curator Lebogang Mpakati is cautiously optimistic that the medical aid scheme’s improvements over the past few months will continue into the new year and improve its relationship with service providers.

Mpakati indicated that the expedited 19.15% contribution increase for 2026 caused service disruptions; however, there has been an improvement in relationships with service providers, and membership movements remain a critical focus.

She said even with the upcoming exit of members affiliated to the SA Local Government Association (Salga), the scheme will still remain viable with non-Salga members.

“This is still within viable operating levels but necessitates a stronger focus on rebuilding membership, a major focus in the next couple of months,” stated Mpakati, who was appointed by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in September.

Municipal workers were given the green light over a month ago to abandon Sizwe Hosmed early after complaints about the level of the scheme’s services.

“Within a few months after my appointment, the scheme’s members are now able to access more healthcare services across most service providers.

“Most hospital groups have since reopened access to members, supported by more predictable claim payment cycles and strengthened engagements,” she explained.

According to Mpakati, some of the hospital groups that have reopened their doors to the scheme’s members include Netcare, Life Healthcare outlets, as well as Beacon Bay and Lenmed’s La Verna, Kathu, Lenasia, and Randfontein, Busamed, Clinix facilities, and at National Hospital Network through Arwyp Medical Centre, Emalahleni Private Hospital, Carewell Robertson, JMH hospitals, and Nongoma Private Hospital, among others.

She promised that in 2026, Sizwe Hosmed’s core strategic priorities will be hinged on solvency improvement, rebuilding strategic stakeholder relationships, service excellence, governance enhancement, digital transformation, and exploration of amalgamation opportunities with comparative schemes with strong solvency ratios.

“We are committed to placing Sizwe Hosmed on a sustainable path underpinned by strong governance, transparency, and integrity.

“Our members have stood by us in both good and difficult times, and we are confident that better days lie ahead,” undertook Mpakati.

She said corrective actions were under way, supported by recommendations from a KPMG forensic investigation, which noted that the decline in the statutory solvency ratio largely resulted from a surge in claims in the first half of 2023.

Mpakati also believes that Sizwe Hosmed’s long-term sustainability requires attracting younger healthy members to boost sustainability.

She said the scheme was encouraged by the meaningful progress made in stabilising operations, rebuilding confidence, and executing on the strategic priorities that will secure its future.

“We acknowledge the difficulties of the past few years, and we remain committed to correcting them with transparency and accountability,” added Mpakati.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za