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Mental Health Month: Dr Thabo Mogotlane on healing addiction and restoring mental health As the world observes World Mental Health Month, we spotlight 2023/2024 Discovery Foundation Subspecialist Award recipient, Dr Thabo Mogotlane, whose work is mapping a new path for mental health and addiction care in South Africa. Raised in rural Winterveld, Mabopane, Dr Mogotlane’s path to psychiatry was shaped by resilience, mentorship and the guidance of his mother and grandmother. From borrowing money to register at nursing school to being transferred to Thabamoopo Psychiatric Hospital during his medical internship in Polokwane, his journey was far from easy. Yet, it was at Thabamoopo that he found purpose. “At Thabamoopo, I realised that there was something special in me,” he recalls. Now a fellow at Stikland Hospital in Cape Town - the only institution in South Africa offering a certificate in addiction training - he is also completing a Certificate in Addiction Psychiatry through the Colleges of Medicine and a Master of Philosophy in Addictions at Stellenbosch University. “Addiction is not an individual problem. If you’ve been exposed to a loved one with an addiction, you know it affects mothers, fathers, siblings, and the entire community,” says Dr Mogotlane. “As psychiatrists, we are trained to deal with mental illnesses without addressing the root cause, which is often addiction.” Supported by the Discovery Foundation grant, his research examines the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on people with alcohol addiction and the broader social implications of dependency. “The grant came at the right time. I had to leave my practice and move to Cape Town for two years, which was a major sacrifice. Thankfully, Discovery Foundation covers my tuition, and living expenses, making it possible for me to focus on my studies without the burden of financial worries.” Dr Mogotlane’s work points to the urgency to integrate psychiatry with social services and community-based recovery. “Every patient is like a book – you have no idea what’s inside until you open it. Every brain is different and has a unique story to tell.” Against the backdrop of a nation where one in three people will experience a mental health challenge, Dr Mogotlane’s work is a reminder that healing is possible when compassion meets science. #WorldMentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionPsychiatry

In the third and final episode of our podcast series, ‘Protection as Unique as the Life it Covers’, Discovery Life’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha Van der walt joins journalist and host Lwandile Bhengu to unpack powerful health insights from the Discovery Life 2024 Claims Experience Report. From cancer and cardiovascular disease to mental health trends, Dr van der Walt shares how risk factors are being addressed through proactive support and data-driven interventions. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/dj4RvYsK to learn how Discovery Life is delivering on its core purpose of making its clients healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives.   #LifesBetterWithDiscovery #Podcast

World Sight Day: South Africa’s first black female Ophthalmologist at UCT In honour of World Sight Day, we celebrate the work of Dr Tshilidzi van der Lecq, a paediatric ophthalmologist whose research into Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is reshaping infant eye health in South Africa. ROP is a potentially blinding condition affecting premature infants. Dr van der Lecq’s journey began in Thohoyandou, Venda, and has taken her across continents and disciplines. “I wasn’t one of those kids who grew up knowing I wanted to be a doctor,” she says. But a University of Cape Town (UCT) roadshow sparked her interest, and she applied to study medicine with no second option. During her internship at Baragwanath Hospital, she met Professor Aubrey Mokgotloe, the first black ophthalmologist she’d ever encountered. “One day, he invited me to watch what he was doing. He could see the fascination in my eyes and told me that if I wanted to, I could do it too.” That moment changed everything. Now based at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, Dr van der Lecq is the first black female ophthalmologist employed in the ophthalmology division at UCT. With support from the Discovery Foundation Award for Individual Academic Fellowship 2023/2024, Dr van der Lecq is working to establish a national ROP register, modelled after Sweden’s initiative led by Professor Gerd Holmstrom. “What gets measured gets done better,” she quotes her co-author, Professor Claire Gilbert. Dr van der Lecq estimates that South Africa needs to screen around 16,000 infants annually, with 12-30% developing ROP and 1-4% requiring treatment to prevent blindness. World Sight Day reminds us that over 2.2 billion people globally live with vision impairment or blindness, and at least 1 billion of these cases could have been prevented or remain untreated. Approximately 80% of all vision impairment is considered avoidable. “Ophthalmology is unique because you have to know about other medical conditions like diabetes,” she notes. Her work is not only clinical – it’s deeply personal and systemic. “Children are the most vulnerable population group.” #WorldSightDay #ROP #Ophthalmology

In his latest article, Vitality CEO Dinesh Govender unpacks the findings of ‘The Sleep Factor’, Discovery’s newly published white paper. It explores the profound impact of sleep on physical and mental health, road safety and longevity, and introduces a suite of innovations designed to help our members sleep better and live healthier. #DiscoverySleepSummit

Today marks a major milestone in preventative healthcare. Our new Sleep Factor report reveals that poor sleep is a widespread and under-recognised health risk, with measurable impacts on longevity, mental health, chronic diseases and road safety. #DiscoverySleepSummit 😴 Discover the science behind sleep and why it matters: discv.co/sleepresearch

Pfukani Women’s Clinic: Breast cancer care for underserved communities Access to specialised breast care has long been out of reach in rural Mpumalanga. That changed with the opening of the Pfukani Women’s Clinic at Tintswalo Hospital in 2023, made possible through the Discovery Fund’s partnership with the Breast Health Foundation and the Mpumalanga Department of Health. The clinic sees an average of 100 women every week and is transforming breast cancer care by incorporating AI for earlier detection.   “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa, with one in 27 women facing this diagnosis in their lifetime,” says Andronica Mabuya, Head of Discovery Corporate Social Investment. “It was clear to us that supporting the Breast Health Foundation, which is dedicated to education, early detection and treatment referral systems, would make a significant impact.”   Professor Carol Benn, founder of the Breast Health Foundation (BHF), adds: “We are hoping that we can offer regional breast surgery to make access easier for patients.” She uses the Big Five to explain the journey of breast cancer care:   Lion = Awareness: Raising awareness is powerful, but on its own it is not enough. Leopard = Access: Elusive but essential. Awareness without access to care is useless. Buffalo = Treatment: Often frightening, but less daunting when cancer is detected early. Elephant = Supportive care: Carries women and their families through treatment and beyond. Rhino = Services: Must never become extinct; regional clinics are vital to keep care sustainable.

What if peace of mind was just a financial check-up away? This spring, the FSCA South Africa and Discovery came together to share practical tips for building financial confidence. As the series closes, it’s your turn to refresh your credit score, update your insurance cover, and review your beneficiaries. A quick check-up today can give you lasting confidence for every season. Start yours now. #FSCA #DiscoverySA #DSYFinancialEducation

Discovery Health is proud to announce a new partnership with Parent Sense, the award-winning parenting app created by leading occupational therapist and baby expert Meg Faure. From pregnancy through to baby’s first birthday, Discovery Health Medical Scheme members registered on the My Pregnancy or My Baby programmes will now enjoy complimentary access to Parent Sense Premium. Members gain access to a comprehensive set of tools and resources through Parent Sense Premium, including: · Personalised milestone tracking to monitor baby’s development · Structured sleep and feeding tools to help establish healthy routines ·  Over 50 expert-developed courses covering pregnancy, birth and early parenting topics · ‘aiah’, the in-app AI parenting coach, offering medically vetted, real-time guidance on everyday questions, available 24/7. And more! To unpack this exciting collaboration, our Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health, Dr Noluthando Nematswerani , sat down with Meg Faure to discuss how Parent Sense empowers parents, and what this partnership means for the health and wellbeing of Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s members who are expecting or parents of little ones. Watch the full conversation to meet Meg, hear Nolu’s insights, and discover how Discovery Health and Parent Sense are working together to give parents confidence, support and peace of mind during one of life’s most transformative journeys. To access Parent Sense Premium as a Discovery Health Medical Scheme Member, please follow the easy step-by-step process, available here: https://lnkd.in/ddMuYunN #ParentSense #DiscoveryPartnership #ParentingSupport #HealthcareInnovation #BetterHealth  

Could you recognise a scam before it’s too late? This week, the FSCA South Africa and Discovery show you how to spot the signs of digital fraud and keep your finances safe as you step into spring. Every smart check is a step towards scam-free finances. #FSCA #DiscoverySA #DSYFinancialEducation

Shaping the future of critical care recovery in South Africa When a car accident changed her dream of becoming an obstetrician, Dr Yakheka Dyasi redirected her career path to anaesthesiology. This #WorldPatientSafetyDay we highlight Dr Dyasi, a recipient of the Discovery Foundation Academic Fellowship Award for 2024, who is leading groundbreaking work to improve the quality of life for patients after critical care in the Eastern Cape. Her study, known as QoL PAC (Quality of Life Post Admission to Critical Care), investigates how early rehabilitation can transform long-term outcomes for patients discharged from ICU. World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on 17 September, is a timely reminder of the urgency of her work. According to the World Health Organization, up to 40% of patients discharged from ICUs experience long-term psychological disorders such as anxiety, or depression, emphasising the need for rehabilitation programmes. Rehabilitation is critical Dr Dyasi current work takes a patient-centred approach, asking a vital question: what happens after survival? Many patients discharged from ICU continue to struggle with physical impairments and mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. By capturing data on patient outcomes, Dr Dyasi hopes to influence health policy and ensure that South Africa’s healthcare system delivers not just survival, but quality of life. This is not Dr Dyasi’s first recognition from the Discovery Foundation. In 2020/2021, she received the Rural Individual Award for her pioneering work on burnout among anaesthetic registrars during the COVID-19 pandemic. That study exposed the “silent epidemic” of exhaustion and psychological strain faced by doctors, sparking important conversations around mental health support in the profession. Grounded by her faith, supported by her family, and guided by mentors who nurtured her love for research, Dr Dyasi embodies resilience and vision.