The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Thursday, July 16, 1970 — The largest medical aid society in Rhodesia, Commercial and Industrial Medical Aid Society (CIMAS) is to pay doctors’ fees in full, without any shortfall having to be met by the members.

This was announced by the manager of CIMAS, Mr John Bates, in Salisbury today.

Mr Bates said that CIMAS would meet the full fees charged to its 73 500 members by doctors in the Rhodesian Medical Association. There would be no increase in contributions “for at least the next two years”.

He said: “Because only a handful of doctors and specialists are not members of the RMA, this means we will pay claims on the full charges which most doctors have agreed to in Bulawayo, Salisbury and other parts of the country.”

Mr Bates said that the shortfall system had proved unpopular. He announced other new benefits.

Full payment for ambulances, surgery and other treatment as the result of emergencies. Full payment for private wards when hospitalised patients need rest and quiet. Full maternity costs including postnatal care. Full payment for treatment in foreign countries.

Mr Bates said his society would issue members travelling abroad with letters which guaranteed the payment in full of hospital and medical charges.

CIMAS, which accepts salaried African men and women as members, has an annual income of $3 000 000. It had a surplus of eight per cent last year, which is being used to stabilise subscriptions.