Dr Musa Gumede has been named the new chief executive and Registrar of the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), with his tenure starting on 2 December.
His appointment comes as the CMS seeks stable leadership following the departure of Dr Sipho Kabane, who stepped down at the end of July. Since August, the role has been temporarily filled by Acting Registrar Mfana Maswanganyi.
Gumede, who was eThekwini’s deputy city manager for Community and Emergency Services, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
CMS chairperson Dr Thandi Mabeba highlighted the comprehensive recruitment process that led to his selection. “His experience, contribution, and track record in the medical schemes and public health environment played an enormous factor in his appointment,” said Mabeba.
Gumede’s career began as a general practitioner, where he quickly expanded into occupational medicine, focusing on medical surveillance, clinical services, wellness, and HIV management. His diverse client portfolio included the National Ports Authority, Spoornet Northern Cape, Philani Healthcare, and Mangosuthu Technikon.
From 2005 to 2009, Gumede worked with Momentum Medical Scheme, initially as head of provider networks before advancing to lead the low-income market – health risk management division. His career trajectory further solidified with senior roles in public health; between 2017 and 2019, he was as deputy director-general (Specialised Services and Clinical Support) in the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department and later took on the position of acting head of department.
Mabeba underscored the importance of this appointment during a crucial phase for national health priorities.
“Navigating complex healthcare issues impacting the industry is apex, thus as the Council we lend our full support towards the new chief executive and Registrar,” she said.
Kabane, who was the chief executive and Registrar of the CMS from February 2019 until his resignation in July 2024, faced a series of challenges during his tenure.
One of Kabane’s achievements was spearheading the first Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) Summit.
“This summit was a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to address the rampant issues of fraud, waste, and abuse,” he noted.
The 2019 FWA Charter, developed and signed during the summit, paved the way for the establishment of Industry Codes of Good Practice and FWA Tribunal rules in 2022.
A major test of his leadership was the Section 59 Investigation, launched in response to allegations of racial discrimination by medical schemes and administrators.
“I acknowledge that this investigation has taken longer than originally anticipated, and these delays were due to factors outside our control as the CMS. I am looking forward to the imminent release of the final report,” he said.
Read: CMS aims to release long-awaited report into racial profiling by year-end
The Covid-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, testing the resilience and adaptability of the CMS under Kabane’s leadership.
“By ensuring that Covid-19 was recognised as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit, we guaranteed that members of medical schemes received the necessary care during this global crisis,” he remarked. The CMS also lodged a successful complaint with the Competition Commission, resulting in a substantial 41% reduction in the cost of Covid-19 tests.
Kabane also played a vital role in policy contributions related to the National Health Insurance Act.
Beyond policy and industry reform, Kabane focused on internal improvements within the CMS.
“We embarked on a significant journey to enhance our organisational structure for improved effectiveness and efficiency,” he stated.
A comprehensive diagnostic exercise led to the development of new Service Delivery and Operating Model frameworks, setting the foundation for a more streamlined and responsive CMS.
