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Bonitas aims to make quality healthcare accessible to South Africans. We offer a wide range of products that are simple to understand, easy to use and give our members more value for money.
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Nipping allergies in the bud
Spring has sprung and while most of us welcome the warmer weather and seeing blossoms on trees, carpets of wildflowers and new buds, millions of people dread this time of the year because of seasonal allergies. In fact, around 27% of the world’s population suffer with seasonal allergies twice a year – during spring and autumn. 1 Oct 2024 Read more

Getting to grips with healthcare inflation
As medical aids approach the annual ‘launch period’, where they present revised products, plans and pricing for 2025, Kathy Malherbe takes a look at the reality of rising healthcare costs and the delicate balance of keeping increases as low as possible while maintaining the sustainability of the scheme. 19 Sep 2024 Read more

The Ask Afrika team with Bonitas - from left: Dr Andrea Rademeyer, Dr Sarina Howie, Faye Joubert, Lee Callakoppen (Bonitas), Serisha Singh (Bonitas) and Shane Perumal (Bonitas), with Siphiliswe Dlamini and Maria Petousis.
Bonitas Medical Fund was announced the winner of the Medical Aid Category in the Ask Afrika Orange Index Awards for 2024/2025 at a function held on Wednesday, 28 August; the scheme's fourth win in this category over the past seven years. 2 Sep 2024 Read more

Corporate wellness – a win-win for all
Occupational Care South Africa (OCSA) reveals that absenteeism costs the South African economy around R12 to R16 billion per year, whereas the Human Capital Review estimates it to be even higher, at R19.144 billion. This equates to about 15% of employees being absent on any given day. 10 Jul 2024 Read more

Partnership with GOTG brings water to teaching hospital
When a hospital has interrupted water supplies, the consequences are dire. Water is essential not only for handwashing, hygiene and drinking but for cleaning and sterilising instruments, laundry, cooling medical gas and suction compressors for patients on ventilators. The list is endless. It is clear that both the patients’ health and the medical staff’s ability to provide quality healthcare will be severely compromised. 26 Jun 2024 Read more

Tackling women’s health holistically
As far back as 2014 at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Forum’, South Africa stated their alliance with WHO’s statement and said, ‘the health of mothers and their children is key to achieving development equity.’ 7 Jun 2024 Read more

It’s business as usual at medical schemes
Since President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill on 15 May 2024, there has been a huge outcry, threats of litigation and, unfortunately, a great deal of misinformation. Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, the second biggest private medical aid scheme in South Africa, says the Act is a complex piece of legislation that still needs to be clarified, along with new reforms and regulations that will need to be introduced, which could take years. His advice to private healthcare members: Remain calm, it is ‘business as usual.’ 4 Jun 2024 Read more

Bonitas excels at the Titanium Awards for the third year running
This year’s Titanium Awards marked a special occasion for Bonitas Medical Fund, as the scheme was honoured with not just one but two distinguished awards. The prestigious event, hosted by the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), was held at the CTICC in Cape Town on the 6 May 2024. 9 May 2024 Read more

Measles - it’s a serious illness
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of an ‘alarming’ increase in measles cases - almost 45-fold in Europe last year - but outbreaks of new cases and even deaths are being reported globally. WHO believe this is a result of fewer children being vaccinated against the disease, especially during the Covid pandemic. 30 Apr 2024 Read more

Getting to grips with flu
Few common illnesses are more unpleasant than the flu. The aches, pains, chills, fever and cough are bad enough. Add the other potential symptoms including runny nose, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue or sore throat and you'll want the illness to be over as soon as possible. Or try to prevent it. 17 Apr 2024 Read more

Helping drive wellness initiatives
As part of an ongoing partnership between Gift of the Givers and Bonitas Medical Fund, the humanitarian organisation recently distributed 10,000 sanitisers to 10 schools, 16 clinics and 2 hospitals in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces. 9 Apr 2024 Read more

TB: Serious but curable
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health issue in South Africa. 280,000 people fell ill with TB during 2022 and, of these, an estimated 54,200 died from the disease. South Africa is one of the 30 high burden TB countries, contributing 87% of the estimated cases worldwide. According to the Department of Health, the main driver of TB infection is HIV, with around 48% of TB patients living with HIV. 19 Mar 2024 Read more

Key facts about cholera
South Africa had recorded at least 46 suspected cholera cases in the first month of 2024. According to the Minister of Health, three of these cases were due to cross-border travel. With these outbreaks making headline news, Dr Themba Hadebe, clinical executive at Bonitas Medical Fund has put together eight key facts about cholera. 12 Mar 2024 Read more

Talking about HPV and cervical cancer
The theme for 2024 Cervical Cancer Awareness is "Learn. Prevent. Screen." South Africa has a high rate of cervical cancer which has been attributed to the fact that not enough women are screened regularly. Screening can detect early changes in the cervix, which can be treated and may save your life. 4 Mar 2024 Read more

10 ways to manage your medical expenses
"As you begin 2024 with a clean slate in terms of medical aid benefits, it’s a good time to look at ways to manage medical expenses," says Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas Medical Fund. Here are 10 tips to empower yourself in managing medical expenses. 9 Feb 2024 Read more

Bursaries and boreholes – helping in the healthcare space
The partnership between Gift of the Givers and Bonitas Medical Fund has, and will continue, to have a positive impact in a quintet of interventions in the field of healthcare. The partnership, which began in 2018 continues into 2024, with an additional investment of R3.3m. This includes bursaries to final year medical students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the provision of boreholes at various health facilities across the country. 14 Dec 2023 Read more

Movember - it's not just about prostate health
November or Movember is traditionally when men around the world grow a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men's health - specifically prostate cancer. And, although the campaign is synonymous with prostate cancer, it's also about testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. 2 Nov 2023 Read more

Bonitas balancing increases with value and sustainability
Bonitas Medical Fund, one of the leading medical schemes in South Africa, recently presented its 2024 product line-up. The Scheme announced the lowest contribution increases across the large open medical schemes, at a weighted average of 6.9%, without reducing benefits. 11 Oct 2023 Read more

Dealing with diabetes
South Africa is the most obese nation in sub-Saharan Africa*. It's not surprising then that we also have the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes. The danger is that most people are unaware of the risk until they are diagnosed as pre-diabetic or Type 2 diabetic. Diabetes is the third most significant risk factor for disability and early death in South Africa. While 4.5 million South Africans are currently diagnosed with the condition, what's more alarming is it's estimated that 61% of diabetics remain undiagnosed. 29 Aug 2023 Read more

Bonitas 2022: Annual results show steady growth and industry-leading financials
Bonitas Medical Fund, in its 42nd year, announced its 2022 financial results today. The medical aid for South Africa, achieved a net surplus supported by positive membership growth, boosted reserves, an increased solvency ratio and a strong investment performance. 24 Jul 2023 Read more


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Tel: 0860 002 018
Email: az.oc.satinob@seireuq