Vaccine funding for uninsured workers set aside

Three million uninsured workers who do not have medical aid cover will benefit from a R1.35-billion vaccine contribution by various compensation fund entities to inoculate the elderly.

Minister of employment and labour Thulas Nxesi said the contribution was a significant boost to the country’s phase 2 vaccination programme.

The R1.35-billion vaccine contribution was made possible by the Department of Employment and Labour through the compensation fund (CF), in partnership with mutual assurance companies, Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) and Federated Employer’s Mutual Assurance (FEMA).

He said the initiative formed part of the ongoing collaboration between the public and private sectors to plug the vaccine rollout’s financial gaps programme as well as ensuring that a significant part of workers were inoculated instead of dealing with resultant claims.

Nxesi said the decision to fund the vaccine for uninsured workers marked proactive interventions by three entities that government was taking to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In just over a year, the CF, in compliance with the compensation for occupational injuries and diseases act as well as the workplace-acquired Covid-19 directive issued by the employment and labour ministry in July 2020, has received a total of 22 333 Covid-19 claims and has accepted liability for 11 466 of the claims,” he said.

Nxesi said of these claims, 71 were in relation to fatalities and over R57-million had been spent in support of workers through medical aid, funeral costs, benefits for dependents as well as in temporary total disablement.

He said the majority of the workers who would benefit from this initiative were mainly vulnerable workers, who had the least resources to mitigate against the loss of income, resulting from hospitalisation due to Covid-19 infection.

“The ripple effects of the financial burden they face are felt by their extended families, who rely on them for their livelihood,” said Nxesi.

“The funding is anticipated to contribute towards the vaccinations under phase 2 of an estimated three million workers, which is a significant contribution to the government’s plan to inoculate about 75% of the population to reach the 67% herd immunity target.

“We are humbled and grateful for the support that the boards of the CF, the RMA and FEMA have demonstrated in pledging support for the department’s plan to ensure the protection of workers through the vaccine rollout programme.

“This selfless gesture demonstrates the milestones that can be achieved when all social partners work towards a common purpose and vision.”

Nxesi said the Covid-19 vaccination was unprecedented and one of the biggest and most expansive national programmes government had undertaken.

“As government, we cannot successfully carry out this mammoth task on our own. We need all hands on deck to ensure that we can prevail over this pandemic,” he said.

Nxesi said this partnership marked an important turning point in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our view is that if we can have more parties on board to support in a similar vein, we can help government in bridging some of the funding gaps in the procuring of vaccinations.”

He said private and public partnerships could play a significant role in providing a much-needed safety net for millions of vulnerable workers who did not have the means to fund their vaccinations or afford private healthcare cover.

Nxesi said government and the private sector aimed to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against the Covid-19 by ensuring that many people were vaccinated, for the country to meet herd immunity targets.

Gauteng health departmental spokesperson Kwara Kekana said citizens were to also take note that no payment by any person being vaccinated at the point of service was needed.

“There is an arrangement between the private sector and national department of health in terms of how much will be paid to them for the services rendered.”

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