Maria Makhabane, Chief Growth Officer, Discovery Health
In my role at Discovery Health, I have the privilege of navigating the dynamic and complex landscape of healthcare in South Africa.
This landscape, while challenging, also offers immense opportunities to rethink how we provide quality care to those who have traditionally been excluded from the private healthcare system. Our mission is clear: expand access to healthcare, particularly for the millions of South Africans who are employed but do not have medical scheme coverage.
Our work at Discovery Health revolves around connecting with multiple stakeholders, including employers, financial advisors, and individuals, to create healthcare solutions that cater to all segments of the population. My team and I are particularly focused on developing innovative health insurance products, such as the Flexicare range and Discovery Emergency Cover solutions, that open the doors to private healthcare for those who previously found it out of reach.
Understanding the Needs of the Population – One of the keys to our success has been staying closely connected to the realities on the ground. Every day, I spend time engaging with employers, many of whom are the main funders of healthcare for their employees. Through these interactions, we gain invaluable insights into their challenges and needs, which we use to improve our offerings. In many cases, it’s through difficult conversations—when an employer’s felt let down—that we find the most innovative solutions.
Our advisor community also plays a crucial role in keeping us grounded and focused. Financial advisors understand the market inside and out, and their feedback ensures that we stay honest and continuously improve our services. Listening to the stories of our members and learning from their experiences further guides our product development. These real-life insights help us stay connected to our purpose: providing quality healthcare to all South Africans.
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In healthcare, it’s easy to be distracted by the multitude of shiny opportunities that come our way. However, we maintain a disciplined approach by keeping our long-term goals in sight. Our overarching vision is to provide access to healthcare for the employed individuals who are currently outside the medical scheme environment. This is a significant portion of the population, and our aim is to bridge that gap.
At the same time, we focus on short-term actions that deliver the highest impact. We understand that healthcare is a long game, but we are also mindful of the urgent needs of the population. Whether it’s through the Flexicare or Discovery Emergency Cover products, we are constantly innovating to ensure that our offerings are not only affordable but also deliver the quality of care that South Africans deserve.
Innovation in Healthcare Access – At Discovery Health, we believe that providing healthcare access should not be a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we’ve developed a spectrum of products that cater to different affordability levels. The Flexicare product range, for example, offers extensive primary healthcare services, while our Discovery Emergency Cover provides immediate access to life-saving care in critical situations. These products are designed to address the most common healthcare needs, from GP visits to chronic disease management, and make it easier for individuals to seek care without facing prohibitive out-of-pocket costs.
Flexicare is available to corporate employers (including SMME sector) wishing to provide affordable private healthcare cover for employees. Individuals can also purchase this health insurance as an important benefit for themselves, their household employees or other employees who may be working with them in a small home-office business.
A Collaborative Approach to Universal Healthcare – The recent passing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill marks a significant milestone in the journey toward universal healthcare in South Africa. While NHI presents a complex and long-term challenge, I’m optimistic about the role that private sector solutions, like Flexicare, will play in complementing government efforts. Our focus is on expanding access to quality healthcare now, while the broader NHI framework is being developed.
In parallel, we are advocating for the introduction of low-cost benefit options into the medical scheme environment. These options would enable Flexicare members to access the tax benefits that medical scheme members currently enjoy, further increasing affordability and expanding coverage to millions more South Africans.
Am I positive about the future of healthcare in South Africa? Absolutely. Every day, I see the tangible impact our products are making in the lives of individuals and families. From first-time health checks to chronic disease management, the benefits of accessing quality care are life changing. The challenge ahead is to scale these solutions and ensure that more South Africans can experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can access the care they need.
The path forward may be complex, but it’s a journey worth taking. At Discovery Health, we are committed to playing our part in shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.