Understanding the numbers behind your health
Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, Lee Callakoppen, has urged all South African's to familiarise themselves with their health status by taking wellness tests often.
Bonitas Medical Fund encourages the public to know more about their health by getting wellness tests. Comorbidities, one of the many new words learned by people all over the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic – but are you aware of your own?
Health minister Zweli Mkhize has expressed concern about the huge group of South Africans suffering from comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, Lee Callakoppen, has urged all South African’s to familiarise themselves with their health status by taking wellness tests often. Callakoppen explained, “Knowing your numbers will help you manage your health better and keep your lifestyle diseases are under control, especially during these difficult times.”
Considering the high levels of prevalent comorbidities in the country, Bonitas believes that such health tests should be done routinely. Callakoppen explained, “When you consider the number of people in South African with high blood pressure, and every eight minutes a South African has a heart attack, it makes sense that we have our blood pressure taken regularly either at a local pharmacy, clinic or when you visit your GP.”
Not doing such can result in serious health consequences should the person catch the Covid-19 virus. According to the Health Department, 70 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men are overweight or obese. Over 4.6 million people in South Africa have diabetes while approximately 85 to 90 per cent of all people with Type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. One in three adults lives with high blood pressure, which is what happens when the blood pressure stays elevated over time. It is also known as the ‘silent killer’ since nearly 33 per cent of people who have it, don’t know it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have yours measured.
Bonitas has taken great strides to ensure that their members receive the care and support they need during this time by providing high-risk members with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, with hand sanitiser, delivered to their door. They also established a Rapid Response Unit within their call centre to offer advice and support to members concerned about contracting Covid-19. As a bonus, the Fund’s virtual care initiative, available on the Bonitas mobile app, allows members and non-members to consult with a GP from their home.
