Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare

In an insightful interview, Maria Makhabane, Chief Growth Officer at Discovery Health, shares her vision for transforming healthcare access in South Africa. Tasked with driving growth in an ever-evolving and complex healthcare industry, Maria focuses on the needs of employed individuals who fall outside the traditional medical scheme environment, making up a significant portion of South Africa’s workforce. Discovery Health’s FlexiCare and prepaid healthcare products are key to this transformation, offering affordable access to essential medical services like GP visits, medication, and emergency cover. With costs ranging from R240 to R1,300, these products aim to cater to a broader affordability spectrum.

Maria discusses the importance of working closely with employers, especially SMEs, to ensure that they have affordable healthcare options for their employees. She also emphasises the role of financial advisors in providing valuable insights and holding the company accountable to its core mission of providing high-quality, affordable care. Notably, FlexiCare has been a game-changer for SMEs and household employees, like domestic workers and gardeners, giving them access to private healthcare for the first time.

Looking ahead, Maria is optimistic about the role Discovery’s initiatives can play in supporting the goals of South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) framework. While acknowledging the complexity of implementing NHI, she believes that products like FlexiCare can help bridge the gap in healthcare access in the interim. With a clear focus on long-term goals and a commitment to making healthcare more accessible for all, Maria Makhabane remains a driving force behind Discovery Health’s innovative solutions for primary healthcare in South Africa.

Key Points

• Complex Healthcare Environment: Maria Makhabane acknowledges the complexity and challenges of the South African healthcare landscape, emphasising the need for deliberate efforts to stay connected to the needs of underserved populations.

• FlexiCare Initiative: Discovery Health’s FlexiCare provides affordable, prepaid healthcare services, expanding access to GP visits, dental care, chronic disease management, and emergency cover, all at lower price points.

• Employer and SME Engagement: Maria stresses the importance of working with employers, especially SMEs, to offer affordable healthcare options for their employees, improving their well-being and productivity.

• Household Employee Care: FlexiCare extends to household employees like domestic workers and gardeners, offering them much-needed access to private healthcare.

• National Health Insurance (NHI): While the implementation of NHI will take time, Maria believes that products like FlexiCare are critical in bridging the gap until universal healthcare becomes a reality.