Bestmed Medical Scheme was recognised at the 11^th annual Board of Healthcare Funders’ (BHFs’) Titanium Awards Gala, receiving awards for Excellence in Creating Access to Quality Healthcare, as well as for Service to Membership: Open, Closed & Self-administered Medical Schemes, Administrators and Managed Care Organisations (Category A: Member Service).

The Titanium Awards Gala, which celebrates outstanding achievements and innovations in South Africa’s healthcare industry, took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Monday, 6 July 2026.

The Titanium Award for Excellence in Creating Access to Quality Healthcare recognises individuals and organisations that enhance healthcare delivery to make a meaningful difference and contribute towards universal health coverage (UHC) principles across the country. The Scheme previously secured this accolade in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

The Scheme was previously awarded for Service to Membership in 2022 and 2025. This award celebrates organisations that demonstrate how they are monitoring, implementing or contributing towards the Universal Health Coverage principles to offer the best service, including value for money, to their members.

Providing accessible healthcare and empowerment

Guided by its Personally Yours promise, Bestmed is committed to creating meaningful value for beneficiaries, partners and communities through healthcare solutions and corporate social investment initiatives that support long-term wellbeing.

"We believe that the success of our initiatives should not only be measured in financial terms, but by the positive impact they have on people's lives," said Leo Dlamini, CEO and Principal Officer of Bestmed Medical Scheme. "Expanding access to quality healthcare remains an important priority, and we are committed to working with partners who share our vision of healthier and more resilient communities."

The main intent of the Scheme’s diverse CSI initiatives is to benefit previously disadvantaged members of society in a sustainable manner. Bestmed’s CSI initiatives focus on increasing access to quality healthcare in rural areas through its partnership with Unjani Clinic, empowering Black-owned Tempo wellness programme service providers (dietitians and biokineticists) with financial assistance and promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle to the children of Louis Botha and Jacaranda Children’s Homes, as well as young female athletes through its partnership with the DStv Schools Netball Challenge.

“Bestmed’s sponsorship of two Unjani Clinic Health Pods – one in the George area of the Western Cape, and the other between Dewetsdorp and Wepener in the Free State – have made a positive impact in underserviced areas,” said Karen Pienaar, Sponsorship and CSI Specialist at Bestmed. “Donations of solar units to Unjani Clinic Kopanong (2024) and Unjani Clinic Dewetsdorp (2025) to improve operational efficiency, and ultrasound machines to Unjani Clinic Sterkspruit (2024) and Unjani Clinic Ramogodi (2025) to improve diagnostics and provide stronger maternal healthcare services, have also made a significant difference to the relevant communities’ access to primary healthcare.”

Commitment to excellent service

Guided by its Personally Yours promise, Bestmed continues to focus on delivering accessible, dependable and personalised service to its members.

“Bestmed is committed to providing a seamless member experience,” says Dlamini. "For more than a decade, we have maintained a same-day claims turnaround process, with claims paid to members twice weekly. We also place significant emphasis on member education and engagement, ensuring that information and support are available across multiple channels whenever members need it."

An important focus for Bestmed, regarding both its members and employees, is health and wellbeing. The Scheme’s preventative healthcare benefits help to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, as well as emotional wellbeing.

Bestmed also places great value on skills development of young professionals through its internship and learnership programmes, providing opportunities to gain work experience and secure permanent employment.

"We are grateful for this recognition and accept it as encouragement to continue earning the trust of our members through service that is personal, responsive and focused on their wellbeing," concludes Dlamini. "At the same time, we will continue investing in initiatives that help expand access to quality healthcare and create meaningful impact in communities across South Africa."