Healthcare innovator Varsha Vala takes helm at Medihelp

SOUTH AFRICA—Varsha Vala has been named as Medihelp Medical Scheme’s next principal officer, beginning March 1, 2024.

Vala began her career as a pharmacist and now has over 25 years of expertise in healthcare, managed care, and design thinking.

Her achievements in managed care include establishing the country’s first comprehensive managed care solution based on risk stratification and a holistic health and well-being paradigm.

Before her appointment, Vala served as a leading executive for digital and managed care at the Professional Provident Society (PPS).

While welcoming her, Chris Klopper, chairperson of the Medihelp Board of Trustees, expressed his excitement in having Varsha join the Medihelp team, noting that she had the expertise and abilities that the scheme requires now and in the future.

Her hiring comes at a time when efficiently managing claims ratios is a common industry concern.

Klopper emphasized that Varsha’s extensive knowledge of health insurance, the pharmaceutical and wellness industries, and how to apply innovation to goods, systems, and methods will be extremely beneficial in tackling this challenge.

Her outcomes-focused approach will also assure effective risk management for schemes that want to keep their claims ratio low and improve their solvency.

While accepting the position, she indicated that understanding the significant hurdles that members encounter while receiving medical scheme benefits is what she is passionate about and what drives her.

Many members feel vulnerable and stressed when confronted with urgent health issues, according to Vala.

She consequently committed to promoting the seamless integration of all stakeholder needs, assisting members in navigating the complicated ecosystem, improving the member experience, and protecting the scheme’s members’ mutual funds.

Vala believes that building forward-thinking solutions and providing exceptional client experiences with a human-centered approach keep her awake at night.

She concluded by stating that her great strategic insights, intercultural communication skills, and capacity to cultivate and maintain honest connections are critical attributes that support her leadership.

Medihelp is one of South Africa’s five largest open medical schemes, with 118 years of expertise in providing members with the necessary healthcare coverage and services.