Why Am I Paying For a Medical Aid

On Saturday 19 December 2015 my baby of 5 months became very sick. We were visiting in Kroonstad and because I dont know any doctors in the area I wanted to take my baby to the nearest hospital casualty department. I phoned Discovery to ask them which hospital I could go to that falls within the Discovery Key Care network. To my utmost dismay they told me to take my baby to the public hospital. I argued this since I could not understand why I would have to go to a public hospital if I am paying for a medical aid. The operator then put me on hold, I waited on the line for about 26 min and no one answered. I then tried again and spoke to a lady that gave me the same information. I was now becoming very frustrated since I am paying for a medical aid. She then told me to hold on for the manager. I waited on the line for about another 27 min and no one came back to me... I am still waiting. How can they force me go to a public hospital when I am paying for a medical aid? THIS IS ************** AND *****. No one told me when I signed up with Discovery Key Care that I will have to go to public hospitals. Isn't that why we take out a medical aid, to not have to go to public hospitals?