Caring for our communities

Edwyn O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich South Africa.

Zurich Insurance Company South Africa, which is part of a leading global insurer, announced on regional radio recently that the company would sponsor Mr Aubrey Moherane, a patient in need of a hip replacement procedure.

On hearing the news, Aubrey was overwhelmed: “This operation will improve my life dramatically as I will no longer live in constant pain.”

Edwyn O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich South Africa said: “We care about the communities in which we live and work. While we are proud of the contribution that we make through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our expertise, time and resources. Being in a position to assist Aubrey through our partners at Oneplan helps us to live up to this commitment.”

Oneplan, whose vision is to make vital healthcare products and services accessible and affordable to the appropriate emerging and international markets, has engaged one of its preferred specialists to conduct a thorough examination while we await the release of Aubrey‘s medical records.

Aubrey‘s initial appointment has been scheduled for 16 April and will be followed by a consultation with the surgeon on 4 May. The procedure, which will be scheduled thereafter, has been tentatively booked for 8 May 2015.

Post consultation, the physician will verify whether Aubrey is fit for the procedure, explain the process and confirm if prosthesis is needed. A hip replacement is a specialised procedure, which comes with risks and potential complications. For this reason there is a need to execute a thorough prognosis and ensure that any of the patient‘s current health issues are treated.

Oneplan‘s clinical team, who have concluded that the procedure will take place at the Unitas Hospital in Centurion, is in close co-operation with Netcare.

Managing Director of Oneplan, Michael Otten concludes: “In the ever-changing social economic environment in which we live, it is every South African’s right to have access to healthcare. Oneplan, underwritten by Zurich, are pioneering low cost health insurance with private healthcare at affordable rates in an effort to champion the need for change.”

A further release will be published once a prognosis has been received.