By Professor Cheryl Cohen, Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health
The flu season is officially here. The best way to protect yourself from a nasty bout of flu is by getting your flu vaccine ahead of time.
The first influenza outbreak happ
“This World Hypertension Day and May Measure Month, Discovery Health encourages everyone to make regular blood pressure checks a priority,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical officer at Discovery Health. “Blood pressure checks are a very quick and easy way to know one’s risk of chronic high blood pressure - also called hypertension.”
‘May Measure Month’ is a global blood pressur
The MLife and Vitality Health International partnership highlights joint commitment to enhancing the quality of lives in Zambia.
Lusaka, Zambia 10 April 2024: MLife, a highly trusted brand that pioneered the introduction of Health Insurance in Zambia, and Vitality Health International, an innovative healthcare insurer, today announced their partnership and launch of their ground-breaking insura
The WELLTH Fund has already paid out over R600 million to Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members since it launched in January 2023. The once-off benefit will be available until 31 December 2024. The top five services DHMS members used their WELLTH Fund benefit for in 2023 were to fund visits to dentists, GPs, physiotherapists, optometrists and to obstetricians and gynaecologists. In 2
03 April 2024, Johannesburg – The Breast Health Foundation (BHF), supported by the Discovery Fund, successfully renovated and inaugurated the Pfukani Women’s Clinic at Tintswalo Hospital in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, with the ambition to bring critical healthcare services closer to members of the community.
In April 2002, the Breast Health Foundation was established as a Not-for-Profit Organisatio
The medicines you use on a regular basis could be harming your kidneys. Knowing how to protect your kidneys can help prevent you from developing chronic kidney disease and other life-threatening conditions.
All drugs can have a negative effect on kidney health, whether they are prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, or chronic consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol. Even some medicin
New research by Vitality and the London School of Economics shows that walking at least 5,000 steps three times a week is a milestone habit that, when maintained for two years, can add up to three years to a previously inactive individual’s life expectancy and reduce their healthcare costs by up to 13%.
Leading health insurer’s ambition to help create a healthier Africa continues to gain momentum
Vitality Health International, the innovative health insurer that provides leading healthcare solutions to employers in Africa, has announced additional benefits, improved access to accredited healthcare provider networks, and a new health insurance plan to further broaden access of comprehensive heal
Regular cancer screening is lifesaving - the earlier you catch cancer, the better your outcomes
With World Cancer Day commemorated every year on 4 February, latest claims data from Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) shows an improvement in cancer screening rates following the dip noted during the pandemic period from 2020 to 2022. For the most part they have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
In April 2023, Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) provided cover to 90 centenarian members (people aged 100 years or older), including two semi-supercentenarians aged 105. These members represent 0.0032% of DHMS lives (32 centenarians per million Scheme members). Ironically, DHMS centenarians are healthier than the average elderly member, with a chronic condition prevalence that is similar
Vitality Health International launched its inaugural V-Talk panel discussion last week with the aim of addressing critical health, wellness and economic challenges facing the African continent.
In the V-Talk series, leading experts are invited to identify and implement innovative healthcare solutions that protect, enhance and save lives across the African continent.
The inaugural V-Talk fo
The new Discovery Health App offers a personalized gateway to the healthcare system for every Discovery Health customer. It enables end-to-end healthcare system navigation and support. The App provides access to cutting-edge digital healthcare technology and services for customers. The App integrates everything to do with one’s health in one place, so that customers can easily check in on their
The Discovery Foundation has awarded over R15 million in research and training grants to some of South Africa’s top doctors, researchers and future healthcare leaders in 2023. The Discovery Foundation has invested over R307 million since inception in 2006, providing 545 training and research grants for specialists and institutions supporting SA’s public healthcare system. The Foundation aims to
Across the world and in South Africa, depression is the most common form of mental illness. 1 in 3 people in South Africa experience a mental health issue. Only 1 in 10 people with a mental health issue have access to treatment. What role do healthy eating, exercise, holistic healthcare, and digital therapeutics for mental health play in tackling the unprecedented rise in mental illness – par
Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
Please note that the announcement below in respect of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme 2024 contributions and/or benefits changes have been submitted to the Council for Medical Schemes and is subject to its approval.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) has announced a weighted average contribution increase across all benefit p
Discovery Vitality today announced a partnership with Checkers and Checkers Sixty60 for the Vitality HealthyFood benefit.
Discovery Bank clients can now experience priority express checkout at Europcar in Cape Town, King Shaka, Lanseria and OR Tambo International airports through the convenience of paperless car collection.
Johannesburg, 27 July 2023: Discovery Foundation is pleased to learn that its recipient and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) fellow, Professor Salome Maswime, received the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) - South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Clinician-Physician Award. This award was for her contribution in the field of Global Surgery in Africa. The accolade recognised h
Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
Here’s a potentially life-saving equation: Regular health checks plus innovative predictive analysis equal a good chance of identifying (and subsequently, treating) serious diseases early on. This approach ensures investment into one’s lifespan and health span. How is this being applied to tackling common noncommunicable diseases like d
Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
It’s all too easy to brush off that mild headache as being a by-product of a stressful day, too much coffee or too little water. But what if it isn’t? Sometimes seemingly insignificant niggles are signs of something else going on in the body. And sometimes, there aren’t any obvious signs at all.
In fact, some health conditions are e
Discovery is a shared value insurance company whose purpose and ambition are achieved through a pioneering business model that incentivises people to be healthier, and enhances and protects their lives.
