Pilot project delivers accessible healthcare lifeline to students

Dr Reinder Nauta, Executive Chairman of National HealthCare Group

Specially developed healthcare product proving its mettle for Stellenbosch University’s NSFAS students

Like so many other South Africans, students are faced with severely stretched finances resulting in an inability to fund even their most basic needs such as books, accommodation and healthcare.

“Hardships created by dire financial pressures and an excessive workload can cause considerable psychological stress. This can impact not only academic performance but also mental and physical health and ultimately the ability to survive and succeed,” comments Dr Pierre Viviers, Senior Director Primary Health Care at Stellenbosch University.

“It is with this in mind that Stellenbosch University, Alexander Forbes, and National HealthCare Group came together earlier this year to pioneer MediClub Student ConnectTM, an affordable healthcare product that is making quality healthcare more accessible for students,” he adds.

According to Dr Viviers the product, which is a first in the student market, was specifically developed for Stellenbosch University students who are funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS).

Commenting on the success of the pilot project Dr Reinder Nauta, Executive Chairman of National HealthCare Group, the company that developed this and other ground-breaking primary healthcare solutions, said preciously few things could make more of a difference to a person’s comfort and quality of life than having the freedom to easily consult a healthcare professional when needed.

“Joining forces to bring practical solutions to bear, rather than working in isolation, is important for laying solid brickwork when it comes to paving the way for National Health Insurance. In addition to funders and various industry bodies, this also needs to include tertiary institutions such as Stellenbosch University, the likes of Alexander Forbes and other leading healthcare consulting firms. Pivotal to the success of such a project are the general practitioners and other healthcare service providers, whose considerable support assists in bringing this quality product to market.

“Together, individual stakeholders have a particular and detailed insight into what is needed within the underserviced markets. It is in pooling our shared knowledge that we can unlock the greatest potential in what has previously been unchartered territory. Ultimately, this comes down to ease of use in how healthcare funding products are packaged and what results they can deliver for the end user – in this instance a service that improves healthcare accessibility for students by being both affordable and straightforward.

“Early indications are that MediClub Student ConnectTM is fulfilling a pressing need for affordable, quality healthcare for young people, who are so often financially pressed and far from home. With this new product, access to affordable healthcare is at least one concern students no longer have to face,” says Dr Nauta.

A national network of over 12 000 doctors, pharmacies and other providers supported by digital health technology and financial innovation will be used to deliver reliable and accessible care. The service will be offered directly by tertiary institutions, in this instance Stellenbosch University. Individual students will be signed up by the university and the monthly subscription fee also be collected by the university.

Patrick Lubbe, managing director of National HealthCare Group said newer, highly sought-after healthcare products such as MediClub Student ConnectTM are the future of healthcare access. “The service provides students with user-friendly, clear-cut healthcare solutions with a strong primary healthcare and technology bias, and an emphasis on value for money and convenience. This is particularly relevant for those who are on a budget, are tech-oriented and are living life at a fast pace – in other words, your typical student.”

In outlining the MediClub Student ConnectTM difference he said that it delivered healthcare to the palm of the hand using a mobile phone and a series of WhatsApp prompts to pinpoint potential healthcare issues.

“It offers easy to use online interactive access to doctors and nurses on WhatsApp, physical consultations with doctors on referral, and all prescribed medication along with other key services for a maximum of R80 per student per month. The service is ideal, particularly in times like these, as it gives students an affordable and effective way to connect with a health professional from home.

“This simple, tech-driven solution was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to fulfil a considerable need for more accessible healthcare and to empower individuals to monitor their health closely. In essence MediClub Student ConnectTM will make a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of financially pressurised South African students,” concluded Lubbe.

Snapshot of the MediClub Student ConnectTM service offering
• Medical advice from a qualified nurse and general practitioner
• Physical consultation in doctor rooms when referred
• Prescribed acute medication from any pharmacy
• Trauma, debt, and legal counselling
• Basic pathology services
• Basic radiology services