Women’s health: Bestmed insights reveal key trends in medical aid choices and care needs

Denelle Morais, Marketing & Communications Manager at Bestmed Medical Scheme

As International Women’s Day approaches, this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, underscores the critical need to advance support for women in every aspect of their lives – especially their health. In South Africa, trends in medical aid reveal both progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring that women receive comprehensive and life-stage specific healthcare throughout their different life stages.

With 52% of Bestmed members being female, several key statistics reveal important trends when it comes to women's health:

• Most women are looking for security and affordability, with many looking at extensive hospital cover in case of accidents or sudden illness, as well as access to a savings account for general day-to-day expenses.
• Women are looking for medical aid options that offer additional quality benefits, especially when it comes to preventative care benefits such as mammograms.
• Maternity benefits remain one of the biggest considerations for women looking at medical aid.
• There is a high concentration of female members in Gauteng (45.4%) followed by the Western Cape (11.6%) – indicative of the larger urban population and stronger provincial economies, as well as more employer-subsidised medical aid memberships. 

Additionally, according to Bestmed statistics:

• In 2025, 1 735 female beneficiaries are currently registered for breast cancer treatment compared to 1 644 in 2024 – a notable increase that reinforces the importance of early detection and accessible treatment.
• Similarly, cervical cancer registrations rose from 99 in 2024 to 103 in 2025, further emphasising the necessity of preventive screenings. 

“These numbers are more than just statistics,” says Denelle Morais, Marketing & Communications Manager at Bestmed Medical Scheme. “They showcase that women today are increasingly prioritising proactive health-first screenings throughout their different life stages. For us, at Bestmed, this means understanding the unique health barriers women face and reinforcing utilisation of benefits for early detection.” 

Women fulfil multiple roles in society – professionals, caregivers, leaders and nurturers – and their ability to thrive is inextricably linked to their health. From reproductive health and pregnancy to mental wellbeing and preventive care, access to quality healthcare remains a fundamental pillar of women’s empowerment. Choosing a medical aid that recognises this and offers a comprehensive range of benefits, including contraceptive benefits, HPV vaccinations, pap smears, mammograms and breast cancer support, as well as maternity benefits and managed care programmes is critical. 

Ensuring access to everything from routine check-ups to specialised treatments, helps eliminate barriers and create clear pathways to better health outcomes.” 

“As South Africa aligns with the global push for progress, this International Women’s Day marks an important moment to champion healthcare advancements that empower women to fully embrace who they are and reach their aspirations,” concludes Morais.