PSMI closes rented properties

Gweru (New Ziana) -Premier Service Medical Investments (PMSI), the investment arm of PSMAS, has closed all rented premises throughout the country due to the escalating costs of commercial properties and the need to contain operating costs, an official has said.

PSMI acting managing director Dr George Kutoka confirmed the development, saying some of the closed premises are in Chinhoyi, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Kwekwe, Gwanda, Bulawayo (Hillside Hospital) and Victoria Falls.

“Recent developments have necessitated our departure from all rented premises due to the escalating costs of commercial properties and the need to contain operating costs,” he said.

PSMI has 113 Medical Clinics and Integrated Family Healthcare Centres in various locations, including Gweru, Beitbridge, Masvingo, Norton, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Chiredzi, Chipinge, Mutare, Rusape, Victoria Falls (EMRAS), Marondera, and Harare.

Dr Kutoka said workers in affected towns have been redeployed as part of the ongoing relocation exercise while those who turned down relocation offers were engaged and termination of service was done in terms of the Labour Act.

“Most current employees remain within the evolving structures of the company. Therefore, we have tried to minimise disruptions and loss of critical practitioners.

“To increase efficiency, some staff have been redeployed as part of the ongoing relocation exercise. This has helped to ensure we have the right skills at all our service centres and most staff have been retained at the new locations,” he said.

He said clients were getting service at the 113 PSMI service centres nationwide, government hospitals, and any facility that accepts Medical Aid cards.

Dr Kutoka said PSMI, is committed to ensuring access to healthcare for all individuals in need of professional medical intervention.

The government formed PSMAS in the 1930s to provide medical insurance to its employees as part of non-monetary benefits.

In 2003 PSMAS formed PSMI to provide affordable medical services. It opened more than 154 medical service centres across the country.

New Ziana