Broke PSMI hospitals and pharmacies shutting down after ‘looting’
Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI)’s hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are closing down across the country after being looted of much needed resources by senior government officials.
The company has closed West End Hospital in Harare and Claybank Hospital in Gweru after failing to pay staff, including nurses and doctors, for three months.
“PSMI would like to inform its Valued Stakeholders on the temporal dosure of its West End Hospital Casualty Department until further notice. The closure is owing to internal processes that are currently underway.
“However, during this transitory, we shall remain committed to our mandate as we continue to fully care for all our patients admitted within the Hospital,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
“PSMI would like to take this opportunity to share our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.”
Last week, PSMI blamed the crisis on “cash flow ceilings currently affecting the major client, Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS).”
PSMAS, which was formed by civil servants, runs a medical insurance scheme for government workers. PSMI is PSMAS’ investment arm.
Problems at these institutions began a few years ago when government officials looted funds in broad daylight.
The PSMAS salaries scandal that came to be known as Salary gate implicated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba among other government officials a few years back.
As a board member, Charamba contributed to the fall of the medical service provider by approving the exorbitant salaries to be paid to Cuthbert Dube, the former boss at PSMAS who was accused of defrauding the company over US$23 million and to board members.
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