Government has been accused of favouritism after repeatedly extending the contract for the administration of Botswana Public Officers Medical Aid Scheme (BPOMAS) to Associated Fund Administrators (AFA). This dates back to the inception of the scheme in 1990. The controversial extension of the contract which expires in five weeks’ time, for a further two years, has infuriated captains of the medical aid service market who have registered their concerns with the Ministry of Health. They stopped short of accusing government of giving AFA - their competitor - unfair advantage and monopoly in the contract. Chief executives from Metropolitan Health - Lesego Pule, BoMaid - Dennis Alexander and Symphony Health - Rose Tatedi wrote to the Minister of Health late last year noting the timeline constraints which could be caused by failure to float the tender which expires on 31 March 2016, and calling on government to facilitate a fair and equitable process. The terms and conditions of the contract requires BPOMAS to give the current provider six months' notice of termination should they fail to retain the contract. AFA continues in the contract for administration of the scheme after they were granted an extension in the first quarter of 2012…
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