These screenings, co-sponsored by Clicks and Aspen, one of South Africa's leading pharmaceutical companies, were designed to dispel popular health myths and empower its members to make the most informed lifestyle and health choices.
According to Liberty Medical Scheme executive principal officer, Andrew Edwards, cardiovascular and heart disease are seriously underrated and annually kill over 8.5 million women globally - far more than breast cancer for example. This equates to about 13 minibuses full of people a day dying from heart disease. In South Africa, about 33 people die per day because of a heart attack, while about 60 die per day because of stroke.
"Many people are reluctant to check for early detection of cardiovascular problems because they are scared of the possible bad news or worried whether they can afford the tests. Liberty along with our co-sponsors, Clicks and Aspen are using these national medical screenings to educate our members on how to detect early signs of heart disease," he says.
"We are also offering a free test service on most options to our members so early detection costs do not come out of members' medical savings facilities. Our reasons for this are two-fold; early detection can save our members' lives while also reducing their, and consequently our, medical costs."
"We believe preventive care benefits help our members to own their health and this is the national message we are spreading through our medical documentaries."
Edwards says free cardiovascular disease detection tests for Liberty Medical Scheme members include Lifestyle Risk Assessment, Biokinetecist and Cholesterol tests. These tests are all part of LMS' early detection and heart disease management program.
Noel Guliwe, Aspen's chief executive: South Africa said "Aspen has been providing quality, effective, affordable products to South Africans for more than 150 years. We have an extensive basket of products that treat a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions experienced throughout all stages of life, including medicines indicated for heart and cardiovascular conditions".
The first pilot screening on breast cancer earlier this year is claimed to have made a deep impact on its attendees across the country as it included a panel of doctors talking about the myths of breast cancer treatment. The documentary also featured a discussion group of survivors talking honestly about their experience of the disease and their coping strategies.
Liberty is continuing its mission to educate the public by following the same format in its screening of "Cardiovascular" which delves into the cause, prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Edwards says, "We believe that health companies need to educate their customers and empower them with the knowledge to make the wisest health choices.
These documentary screenings are open to members of the public through Ticketline and include a panel of doctors discussing heart disease and a discussion group of survivors, including Dr. Ali Bacher, who has experienced the disease firsthand.
This is however, only the beginning. South Africans can look forward to more Liberty Medical Scheme screenings in the future that educate about life threatening health conditions.
