Question NW3146 to the Minister of Social Development
24 November 2023 - NW3146
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What are the reasons that district surgeons are used in KwaZulu-Natal and not in other provinces; (2) what are the reasons that assessment doctors have not submitted their invoices for payment in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape provinces?
Reply:
1. SASSA utilises medical practitioners in the employ of the Department of Health doctors who were previously referred to as District Surgeon in all the provinces. While other provinces have changed the title, it is still being used in some provinces, but basically refers to same. There is no different arrangement for KZN. The medical practitioners conduct social assistance assessments.
2. According to our records, there are no outstanding invoices or outstanding payments for medical practitioners in any of the SASSA regions. Where such exists, it is because some medical practitioners prefer to submit their combined monthly invoices (that cover a number of months) for a bigger claim amount. On a continuous basis, SASSA encourages timely submission of invoices by doctors. All invoices that have been submitted have been processed.