Bestmed Medical Scheme has deepened its impact on South Africa’s underserved communities through its ongoing partnership with non-profit organisation Unjani Clinic, donating critical healthcare infrastructure – including an ultrasound machine and solar power unit – to clinics in the Eastern Cape and Free State. These contributions directly address maternal health challenges and power instability, two major barriers to healthcare in rural regions.
This follows Bestmed’s earlier donation of two Health Pods, one in 2022 and one in 2023, serving over 3 600 patients in George and parts of the Garden Route (including Thembalethu and surrounding industrial areas) in the Western Cape, and the community between Dewetsdorp and Wepener in the Free State, respectively. The donation of the Health Pods form part of Bestmed’s mission to bring affordable, accessible primary healthcare closer to home in rural areas.
Advancing maternal health in Sterkspruit
According to the Commission for Gender Equality report, certain provinces struggle to provide quality healthcare services for women, with the Eastern Cape province notably grappling with elevated rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. This is due to various factors like poor infrastructure, employee shortages and challenges in accessing healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas.
The donation of an ultrasound machine has already helped transform maternal health services in Sterkspruit. “The ultrasound machine has enabled us to detect abnormalities early in pregnancies, leading to safer births and healthier babies,” says Sister Nandipha Nyelimane, a nurse at the Unjani Clinic in Sterkspruit.
Keeping clinics running amid power cuts
The continued interruptions of electricity supply across the country disrupts essential services, including healthcare delivery. Power outages put more strain on already stretched facilities, affecting everything from medication storage to patient care. Kopanong is no exception. Like many communities, it has faced recurring interruptions that compromise the consistency and quality of healthcare services.
Bestmed’s donation of a solar power unit has ensured uninterrupted patient care. “It’s not just about keeping the lights on,” explains Sister Poppy Vilakazi of the local Unjani Clinic. “We’ve reduced operational stress and focused more on patient care without worrying about electricity bills or outages.”
Health Pods: A lifeline for underserved communities
The George Health Pod has treated over 2 860 patients in 2024, including residents of Thembalethu, offering a vital lifeline in a township with over 44 000 residents and just two public clinics. The Dewetsdorp Health Pod, currently based in Van Stadenrus, has served over 760 patients during 2024, reducing travel times and lowering healthcare costs for rural families.
“While the numbers are impressive, the true impact lies in the stories of lives improved,” says Madelein O’Connell, Executive: Marketing, Sales and Corporate Relations at Bestmed Medical Scheme. “In overcrowded or remote areas, Health Pods are more than facilities – they are lifelines.”
In fact, residents in George and surrounds have seen significant improvements across multiple services, with female reproductive treatments, including pap smears and family planning, topping the list of most utilised treatments. The pod’s role in fostering health awareness throughout the community, through TB screenings, as well as Mom and Baby expos, also earned the clinic a nomination for ‘Best Healthcare Facility’ – a testament to the partnership’s tangible results. In the Dewetsdorp area, the introduction of a local Health Pod has reduced clinic operation costs and improved access to healthcare for many who previously had to travel long distances for basic services.
“Health Pods are transforming how and where we deliver care – one township, one rural area and one clinic at a time,” says Lynda Toussaint: CEO at Unjani Clinic. “Through local empowerment and early intervention, we’re not just improving health outcomes, we are impacting lives.”