Parents of a toddler with a rare disease are pinning their hopes on the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) granting an urgent application forcing Medihelp to pay for the boy’s medicine costing R180 000 rather than palliative care.
According to a Beeld report, Rare Diseases SA (RDSA) approached the court on behalf of the parents of Zachary de Wet (3) for urgent relief pending a challenge by the parents about the Prescribed Minimum Benefit treatment of Hunter’s syndrome. The disease prevents the production of certain enzymes in the body and children with this disease generally die between the ages of 12 and 18, the court heard.
Mohamed Cajee, counsel for RDSA, argued that the use of the drug Elaprase could extend the life expectancy of the child. Mike Maritz SC, on behalf of Medihelp, argued that the court’s intervention would set a dangerous precedent for medical schemes.
Judge Anthony Millar reserved judgment until Friday.
Beeld article – Kleuter ‘kan vroeg sterf’ sou mediese fonds nie betaal, hoor hof (Restricted access)
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