On International Women’s Day, Bestmed calls for a preventive shift in women’s health
As the world marks International Women’s Day, Bestmed highlights the importance of a continued focus on women’s health and encourages greater emphasis on preventive care within South Africa’s healthcare system.
Women represent the majority of healthcare users globally. They are more likely to seek care, manage family health decisions and engage with primary healthcare services. Yet, despite this, serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain significantly underdiagnosed, under-recognised and undertreated in women.
“Women are engaging with the healthcare system more than ever, but engagement does not always translate into early diagnosis,” says Dr Nandipa Mafongosi at Bestmed Medical Scheme. “Globally and locally, we continue to see diseases in women being missed or misdiagnosed. The symptoms often present differently and risk is frequently underestimated. That is why prevention and regular screening are not optional – they are essential.”
A national conversation on women’s health
In the 2026 State of the Nation Address, women’s health featured strongly in the broader commitment to maternal health, reproductive services and preventative care as part of building a healthier South Africa. Bestmed believes this policy direction must be matched by consistent behavioural shifts at individual and community level.
“Policy reform is critical, but prevention starts long before hospital admission,” says Dr Mafongosi. “We need to normalise annual check-ups, cardiovascular risk assessments, cancer screenings and reproductive health screenings as part of every woman’s routine health journey.”
What the data shows
Bestmed’s internal claims data reveals encouraging but nuanced trends in preventive behaviour among female members:
• Female contraceptive utilisation dropped slightly to 85% last year, from a high of 90% in 2024.
• Pap smear preventive benefits have steadily increased from 5.6% in 2023 to 10% in 2025.
• Mammogram uptake has also risen, with over 7 000 eligible members – representing 11% - making use of this screening benefit.
“These numbers tell two stories,” explains Dr Mafongosi. “On one hand, we are seeing positive momentum in cervical and breast cancer screenings. On the other, the slight decline in contraceptive utilisation signals that awareness barriers may still exist. Preventative healthcare must be consistent, not episodic.”
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death among women globally. It accounts for 30% of deaths among women each year, which is over twice as many female deaths each year as deaths from all forms of cancer combined. Yet many women underestimate their personal risk. Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and stress are increasingly prevalent risks in the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, particularly among working-age women, who are trying to balance professional and caregiving responsibilities.
“Women are often the health custodians of their families, but they neglect their own risk factors,” says Dr Mafongosi. “We encourage women to prioritise blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, glucose testing and lifestyle assessments. Early detection dramatically changes outcomes.”
“Women’s health is not a niche issue. It is a national economic and social imperative,” concludes Dr Mafongosi. “When women are healthy, families are stable, workplaces are productive and communities are resilient. Prevention is not just about avoiding disease; it is about protecting potential.”
The Bestmed Tempo Lifestyle Screening offers free screening of a blood pressure check, cholesterol check, glucose check, as well as a height and weight checks, to all members 16 years and older. Bestmed encourages all female members to review their preventive care benefits, schedule recommended screenings and engage proactively with their healthcare providers in 2026.
