This is according to Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, during his submission at the Health Market Inquiry in Cape Town by the Competition Commission as part of an investigation into the cost of private healthcare in South Africa.

Motsoaledi said the flow of patients over the South Africa-Lesotho border is directly affecting services in the Free State.

Meanwhile, the Free State provincial government is in negotiations with the Lesotho government about an outstanding medical bill of more than R86 million.

Free State Finance MEC, Elzabe Rockman, said in her budget speech on Tuesday that the provincial government is in talks with Lesotho’s Minister of Health, Molotsi Monyane, in an effort to enhance revenue collection in the province.

The total outstanding amount that Lesotho owes the provincial government was revealed on Friday during Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s submission at the Health Market Inquiry in Cape Town by the Competition Commission as part of an investigation into the cost of private healthcare in South Africa.

The Free State health department was put under administration last year after a damning report by the Public Service Commission in the Free State that listed a shortage of medicine, a backlog in maintenance of medical equipment and serious shortage of staff.

OFM News