SEPTEMBER HEALTH CALENDAR
National Heart Awareness Month
National Oral Health Month
Albinism Awareness Month
Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
7-11 Back Week
7-11 Pharmacy Week
8 World Rabies Day
9 International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day
12 World Oral Health Day
14 National Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Day
(ADHD)
14-18 Infection control week
14-18 Stroke Week
21 World Alzheimer's Day
21-27 World Retina Week
28 World Heart Day ♦

WHAT TO WRITE? WHAT TO WRITE?
You tell us...
Got some great topic ideas?
Well, don't be afraid to drop us a mail and tell us what you'd like us to cover in terms of articles and features - housecall@ thecheesehasmoved.com ♦

Control at your fingertips
Make use of our online facilities

Keep track of your membership and get an in-depth view of your claims history at www.medscheme.co.za

Register today with your name and membership number and have more control and peace of mind. To find out more about our benefits and options visit www.fedhealth.co.za ♦


Points of contact

If any of your contact details change, please notify us immediately by contacting the Fedhealth Customer Call Centre on 0860 002 153.

Alternatively, your new details can be faxed to
011 671 3647 or e-mailed to update@fedhealth.co.za ♦


FEDHEALTH FOR LIFE
Tell us why you stay part of our family!

Maybe a great benefit came through for you in times of need, or perhaps you really liked the friendly and warm service you received. Whatever it is, please submit your reason or reasons to
housecall@thecheesehasmoved.com so we can share them with all our members.

In keeping with our philosophy of providing Real Medical Aid, we don't stop at the physical part, but also focus on the emotional and psychological well-being of all our members through free access to a trauma management programme designed and managed by Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (ICAS). ♦
PRINCIPAL OFFICER MESSAGE Peter Jordaan steps into the position of Principal Officer and will be sharing his experience and knowledge of medical aid with us in this space for the next few issues. .

In a recent Sunday Times article the journalist debated reasons why members of medical schemes are running out of their day-to-day benefits earlier every year and went as far as to claim that a family of four needs at least R20 000 a year for day-to-day expenses. The objective of the article was to demonstrate that medical aid is becoming more and more out of reach for the man in the street and that the medical aid industry is actually in crisis.

The journalist, to her own disadvantage, used day-to-day benefits in an attempt to demonstrate this point. Remember, the real reason for a medical scheme is to assist members with significant medical expenditure where treatment in hospital, with care under a specialist, can run into many hundreds of thousands of rands. This is covered by the risk pool which forms the bulk of your contribution. In Fedhealth's case, we cover these expenses unlimited up to three times the medical aid rate. The scheme always strives to never compromise these benefits, which are the core of any medical aid, and to really be there when our members need us the most.

In response to a question, I mentioned that "you get what you pay for" but, unfortunately, the journalist positioned this out of context. My response was based on the day-to-day element as referred to in the article and when seen in context, emphasises the importance of members selecting the appropriate option on any medical scheme. The day-to-day benefit and savings in particular, is a rand-for-rand benefit which means that the member gets exactly the amount out that they contribute towards it. When selecting an option, members should evaluate their healthcare needs for the coming year and ensure that this amount will be sufficient or alternatively take a conscious decision that in order to save on contributions they will have to fund some day-to-day expenses out of their own pocket. In the current economic climate many members may be experiencing pressure on household budgets and may consider buying-down in order to save money. These members must realise that this will have a direct impact on the annual amount available for their day-to-day expenses.

It is also important to remember that the savings portion is your money and hence you control the way it's spent throughout the year. Although you cannot always control how many times you need to go to the doctor or dentist, you can control things like how much you should spend on frames for your glasses. If there are savings left over at the end of the year, the balance is carried over to the next year and is paid out should you leave the scheme.

On a lighter note, as I write this, the sun is getting warmer, I've seen new buds on trees and I realise it is time to get out of our winter hibernation. Spring is always a good time to review our lifestyles, pack away the recipes for hearty stews and soups and adopt a healthy lifestyle. So please enjoy this edition that has tips for getting back into summer gear in our lifestyle section as well as articles that help you know your medical aid.

Stop Press! As we go to press we have learnt that Fedhealth was placed third in the Medical Scheme category of the annual Sunday Times Top Brand survey. This is a great achievement for the Scheme and we wish to thank each of our members for their contribution to making Fedhealth a great brand. ♦

,

reasons to
belong no.7
Trauma Management Programme

Designed to assist individuals and families in normalising and processing traumatic experiences like motor vehicle accidents, crime-related incidents such as robberies, hijackings and rape; the programme incorporates professional assessment, intervention and consultancy. The programme includes trauma diffusing services aimed at assisting members to manage the immediate practical aspects of recovery. This could involve assistance to ensure physical safety and comfort of victims, establishing a sense of security, co-ordinating emergency services where relevant and mobilising an appropriate support structure.

The second phase of assistance includes psychological first aid services aimed at reducing initial distress and effective management of emotional reactions in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience. These include the containment of emotion such as fear, anger, shock and numbness, the "normalisation" of the trauma response, education about post-trauma stress reactions and coping strategies.

The third phase includes follow-up trauma counselling services which happen 48 - 72 hours after the incident and are designed to help survivors deal with uncomfortable and often painful feelings that surface. This will include short-term cognitive behavioural counselling and referral to professional psychiatric services for people needing additional support.

All Fedhealth members can access the Fedhealth Trauma Management Programme for free 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The operators are multi-lingual and are all registered psychologists and social workers. The dedicated toll-free number for the Fedhealth TMP service is 0800 212 695. ♦




DO IT ONLINE!
Haven't registered on the Medscheme website yet? Do it now and experience an easy way to check up on your claims and benefits. ♦

COVERED BY FEDHEALTH
Real-life stories from members

In last month's HouseCall! we highlighted how important it is for members to have cover for emergency treatment, quoting the unfortunate accident of a member aboard an aircraft flying from Mozambique to Johannesburg. Two other members of the Fedhealth family have since had similar experiences.

Paul Buckley was having a relaxing day out surfing with friends when he was attacked by a shark, believed to be a great white. He was thrown from his surfboard and grabbed the shark's tail, hoping this would stop it from coming back at him. The shark remained fastened to his left thigh for a second or two, then let go and swam out to sea. He managed to paddle slowly back to shore with a badly lacerated leg, was immediately taken to a doctor and then to hospital. "I will always be so appreciative of the way my ordeal was handled by my medical aid, Fedhealth, and the other medical personnel who attended to me." Paul says. "I suppose it is at times like these that the real value of having a quality and efficient medical aid service really comes to the fore."

When Werner Greeff got a call to say his wife, Ilse, had been involved in a bad car accident, he raced to Robertson's State Hospital. When he got there at four o'clock in the afternoon he found that the hospital could not do scans after four. "So I got on the phone to Fedhealth, my medical aid, and the process started." Ilse was stabilised and stayed overnight in the hospital.

"The next morning," says Werner, "I was back on the phone to Fedhealth to arrange her move to UCT private hospital. In 20 minutes I was phoned back by Fedhealth to say the helicopter was on its way. Ilse was taken straight to ICU and the next day was operated on. Thanks to Fedhealth and everyone else who helped. My wife is up and mobile again. There is no price to pay for good and quick service, especially at a time like this when you need it most." ♦

THE FACE OF FEDHEALTH BABY
Enter your baby in the Fedhealth Baby of the Year Competition

Brought to you by
Fedhealth Baby, the FREE programme available to all pregnant members.

From great giveaways, discounts, education and just plain fun, you'll find that the Fedhealth Baby Programme is there to make your experience all the more special. Registration is simple and FREE! So join today by calling 011 704 0071 or e-mail us on info@babyhealth.co.za

Enter your baby in the Fedhealth Baby of the Year Competition

Find your baby's cutest pic, in jpeg format and submit it with these details: member name and number, your baby's name and date of birth to fedhealthbaby@ thecheesehasmoved.com
Entries close 25 September 2009

3 beautiful babies will be chosen as winners.
Prizes: A year's supply of Huggies. A professional photo shoot for baby. Plus special mummy and baby hampers.
Winning babies will be our chosen models to feature on all Fedhealth Baby Programme material for 2010
Rules: Only Fedhealth members qualify for entry. Baby must be between the ages of 3 to 7 months. Baby must be a dependant on the scheme. Staff of Fedhealth and it's partners may not enter the competition. ♦
BACK ON! Quick Tips on Back Care

Take note of these back care tips, courtesy of the Chiropractic Association of South Africa:

1. Keep mobile: This increases the circulation and maintains tissue flexibility.
2. Exercise regularly: Weak muscles increase your risk for back pain.
3. Sit up straight: Poor posture puts unnecessary strain on your spine.
4. Bend your knees when you bend over: This will put less stress on the back joints.
5. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases the pressure placed on the vertebrae and discs.
6. In the workplace your computer monitor and keyboard should be directly in front of you.
7. Make sure you sleep on a supportive mattress and pillow to maintain proper spinal alignment.

8. 		Don't sleep on your stomach: This stresses the neck and lower back.
9. Avoid lifting excessive weights: You could be overloading the spine which may lead to disc compression.
10. Have your spine checked regularly to ensure you maintain optimal spinal health! ♦


TO YOUR BENEFIT

Understanding your Fedhealth benefits

Knowledge is power and with this feature we would like to empower our members to make the most of their benefits through understanding how it all works.

Chronic Disease Benefit
•
The Chronic Disease Benefit covers a list of chronic conditions, which include the 25 legislated Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) conditions, plus a range of other conditions approved by Fedhealth that vary from option to option.
• Formularies & DSP:
The scheme makes use of formularies and a Designated Service Provider (DSP) to manage the cost and ensure accessibility and appropriate level of care for all our members.
• Formularies:
A formulary is an approved list of medication for each of the chronic conditions covered by the scheme. These formularies in no way compromise the quality of healthcare that you, the member, receives. Formularies are also subject to the MPL. Please see table below for option specific detail.
• DSP:
Fedhealth's Designated Service Provider (DSP) is the MEDI-Rite group of pharmacies, located in Shoprite supermarkets. Use of the DSP is dependent on your option choice. Please see table below for option specific detail.
• Co-payments:
If your option requires you to use Fedhealth's DSP (MEDI-Rite pharmacies), or is subject to one of Fedhealth's formularies, and you choose to rather use a service provider of your choice or out-of-formulary medication, please note that this will attract a 40% co-payment. If this is in respect of a PMB condition, then the co-payment is not refundable from savings.
• Medicine Price List (MPL):
Your medication will be covered at MPL rates up to the limits as specified in your option. MPL is a reference price list that benchmarks each product against generically similar products. It does not restrict member's choice, but limits the amount that the scheme will refund for each product. The MPL reference price is set at a level to ensure that a number of medicines will be available without any co-payment.
• Treatment Guidelines:
The scheme has established treatment guidelines for the 25 PMB conditions to ensure that you receive appropriate treatment for your condition. You will receive details of the treatment guidelines applicable to you once you register for one of these conditions.
• How to apply:
On diagnosis of a listed chronic condition you and your doctor will need to complete an application form which is obtainable from the Fedhealth Customer Call Centre on 0860 002 153, the Fedhealth website www.fedhealth.co.za or directly from Chronic Medicine Management (CMM) on 0860 100 608. Your doctor can fax this completed form to CMM on 0800 223 670/ 80 for approval. CMM will review your application and liaise with your doctor if necessary.
• Once your application has been approved:
CMM will provide you with your medicine access card which will list the approved medicines to be covered from this benefit. Once you have received your medicine access card, your doctor will need to provide you with a repeat prescription for a maximum of six months (legislative requirement) for the approved medicines.
• What to do if your authorised chronic medication changes:
If the doctor decides to change your medication, CMM needs to be advised. The quickest and simplest way would be for your doctor to inform CMM telephonically on 0860 100 608. Within 24 hours, a temporary medicine access card will be faxed to the pharmacy of your choice enabling them to dispense your medicine without delay. Alternatively, your new prescription can be faxed to CMM on 0800 223 670/ 80 and your request will be processed within five working days. Your new medicine access card will be mailed to you. Make sure your doctor provides you with an updated repeat prescription to match the approved medicines on your medicine access card.
 

What are Prescribed Minimum Benefits?
These conditions are covered by all schemes and are known as PMB's. All medical schemes have to by law provide for the diagnosis, treatment and care of a list of Prescribed Minimum Benefits. Included in this list of PMB's is a Chronic Disease List (CDL) which is a list of 25 chronic conditions that all schemes are obliged to cover. The scheme has established treatment guidelines for these 25 chronic conditions which ensure that members receive appropriate care.

Chronic Disease Benefit
  Maxima Plus Ultimax Ultima 300 Maxima Standard Ultima 200 Maxima Basis Maxima Core
Cover Up to 100% MPL
Limit R9 775 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R18 280 per family per year R18 280 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R30 400 per family per year R6 095 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R10 920 per family per year R3 650 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R7 300 per family per year R3 040 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R5 460 per family per year R2 415 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R4 828 per family per year R1 207 per beneficiary, subject to an overall limit of R2 415 per family per year
Formulary and Designated Service Provider
Formulary
In-benefit (All chronic conditions) No formulary applies No formulary applies No formulary applies Comprehensive formulary Comprehensive formulary Restrictive formulary Restrictive formulary
Out-of-benefit (25 PMB conditions only) Comprehensive formulary Comprehensive formulary Comprehensive formulary Restrictive formulary Restrictive formulary Restrictive formulary Restrictive formulary
DSP
In-benefit (All chronic conditions) Service provider of choice Service provider of choice Service provider of choice Service provider of choice Service provider of choice MEDI-Rite pharmacy MEDI-Rite pharmacy
Out-of-benefit (25 PMB conditions only) Service provider of choice Service provider of choice Service provider of choice MEDI-Rite pharmacy MEDI-Rite pharmacy MEDI-Rite pharmacy MEDI-Rite pharmacy
HIV/AIDS medicine benefit including treatment for mother-to-child transmission, rape & post-exposure prophylaxis
Cover Up to 100% MPL
Limit R20 000 per beneficiary per year R20 000 per beneficiary per year R20 000 per beneficiary per year R18 000 per beneficiary per year R18 000 per beneficiary per year R18 000 per beneficiary per year R5 950 per family per year

For a complete list of the chronic conditions covered by your option, including the 25 PMB conditions, please refer to your member guide or www.fedhealth.co.za.

• In-benefit means that you have Chronic Disease Benefit limit available. Out-of-benefit means that you have exhausted your Chronic Disease Benefit limit.
• Non-compliance with DSP and/ or formulary requirements, as per your specific option will attract a co-payment of 40%. If this is in respect of a PMB condition, then the co-payment is not refundable from savings. ♦
About RABIES

Rabies is a fatal viral infection carried in the saliva of warm-blooded animals; the transfer to humans is usually from a rabid dog.

Symptoms in an infected animal include unusual behaviour, aggressiveness, excessive drooling and paralysis.

Symptoms in humans appear about 20 - 60 days after being bitten by a rabid animal. Deep or multiple bites, particularly to the head and neck, result in symptoms appearing sooner. An early symptom is tingling, pain or intense itchiness at the bite site, even when the wound has healed. Other early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and behavioural changes.

If a person has been bitten by a rabid animal, the disease can be prevented by an injection of rabies immune globulin and a course of vaccinations. This must preferably be given within 48 hours to be effective.

Dogs should be vaccinated against rabies every three years.♦
 
WEB FEET
Our great new website is sure to bring in
new members

We've recently finished work on upgrading our website. The new site is functional and accessible with great new features and ways to relay information. You'll find a separate space for you, our existing members,
plus an innovative way of attracting and profiling
potential new members. The look is very modern,
stylish and fun, in-keeping with how we see ourselves as a brand. Visit the new and improved site at www.fedhealth.co.za now.

AT THE HEART OF IT Anxiety, depression up angina risk

Michael Jackson's death and rumours of Joost van der Westhuizen suffering from heart troubles have highlighted the effect anxiety and depression can have on the heart, as is shown in a new study.

The study showed that among patients with a similar degree of inducible chest pain, anxiety and depression are associated with a statistically significant increase in the frequency of angina.

"These results support the study of angina treatment strategies that aim to reduce psychosocial distress" as well as lessen the symptoms, the study team concludes in a report published in the rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Angina is chest pain that typically occurs in response to activity or stress, which may feel like tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing or crushing pain, which usually begins slowly and worsens over the next few minutes before going away. It may quickly go away with medication or rest, but may happen again with additional activity or stress.

Symptoms of angina occur when the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), or by a blood clot. This results in ischaemia, as not enough blood reaches the tissues, they are starved of oxygen and eventually die.

How the study was done
"American cardiology has focused almost exclusively on reducing ischaemia in its treatments of angina...but this study suggests that we should also assess and treat depression and anxiety in patients with frequent angina," said senior author Dr Mark Sullivan, of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. "British and European cardiology does more of this."

Sullivan and colleagues studied 191 patients (average age, 63 years) with ischaemia using myocardial stress perfusion imaging studies performed between April 2004 and 2006.

Using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, they determined that 68 patients (36%) had no angina in the previous month, 66 (35%) had monthly angina symptoms, and 57 (30%) had daily or weekly angina.

Sullivan's team also determined that 44% of patients with daily or weekly angina had clinically significant anxiety, and 64% had clinically significant depression.

What the study revealed
After further analysis, increasing angina was significantly associated with a history of coronary surgery (2.24-times the risk), anxiety (4.72-times the risk), and depression (3.12-times the risk).

The results suggest that psychosocial characteristics are related to the frequency of angina, independent of the severity of the angina, the investigators note. However, "it is unclear whether these psychosocial factors are truly affecting the anginal response to ischaemia or if the increased chest pain burden is causing intensification in psychosocial distress," Sullivan added. ♦

No Alcohol served to Under 0 years Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

 

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can damage the embryo and foetus as it develops, leading to a characteristic pattern of malformation that is identified as FAS.

South Africa has one of the highest incidences of FAS in the world, with the greatest prevalence reported in the Western Cape. A recent study in the Boland around the town of Wellington showed that 48 out of 1 000 children in their first year at school had FAS. This is 36 times higher than the figure for Western nations, which is 1,33 children per 1 000.

Infants born to heavy drinkers have twice the risk of abnormality compared to those born to moderate drinkers. Among heavy drinkers, 32% of infants were born with congenital abnormalities compared with 9% in those who did not drink at all, and 14% in those who drank moderately.

The principal clinical features of FAS comprise three groups of signs:

• Growth deficiency
• Poor growth in length, head circumference and weight, which starts in the womb and continues after birth
• Central nervous system involvement
• Delayed development or mental handicap which ranges from borderline to severe
• Learning difficulties (with specific deficits in mathematics), poor school performance, deficits in receptive and expressive language, short concentration span, poor memory, hyperactive behaviour and poor judgment are some of the characteristic findings in children with FAS.

Facial features
In the fully developed syndrome the facial appearances are characteristic:
• Small eyes with epicanthic folds (folds at the inner aspects of the eyes)
• A flattened nasal bridge with upturned nostrils
• A smooth thin upper lip
• A small lower jaw.

Other birth defects may be present, such as:
• Heart defects, mainly in the walls that divide the chambers of the heart (the ventricles)
• Minor joint and limb abnormalities, including some restriction in movement and altered creases in the palms of the hands
• Kidney anomalies, and many others.

Can FAS be prevented?
Yes, by not drinking during pregnancy. Since a safe lower limit of alcohol during pregnancy is not known, it is best not to drink at all.
• Community education on the dangers of alcohol abuse is an urgent requirement
• Another is to improve maternal nutrition prior to and during pregnancy
• Most important is the alleviation of poverty in rural areas.

In the Western Cape prevention workshops, community upliftment programmes, campaigns against the "dop system", life skills and educational programmes and new labour laws are being introduced. ♦
HEALTHY MADE EASY

Your regular feature on healthy choices

BRING ON SUMMER

Get ready for the heat
At last - the fantastic realisation that after what seemed to be a never-ending winter, spring has finally sprung. We are unpacking those summer dresses, T-shirts and shorts and with that comes the oh so familiar urge to loose the extra weight accumulated over the winter months (on average people gain 2-3 kg over winter).

The secret lies in being positive and practical.
You have heard the inspiring words before: "Every year go some place you have never been before". Well let's apply the same principle to our eating habits.

• Every week try to have ONE food you have never eaten before or have it in a brand new and exciting way: Think blue berries, artichokes, leeks, pomegranate, sushi, tofu, antioxidant rich white tea
• Why don't you try an all new exercise regime or technique like pilates, yoga, pole dancing, boxing or even a few sessions with a personal trainer
• Importantly, know your vital statistics; have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked, go for that mammogram or prostate check. These check ups can be life saving
• Add a homocysteine check to the normal blood test. This is an all-important indicator for degenerative processes active in your body.

New info out there to improve heart health

• Cinnamon extract: very effective to use for insulin resistance and pre-diabetes and may be used together with medication
• Red yeast rice: very effective for the person with elevated cholesterol, but not on medication (try the cinnamon/ red yeast combination available at pharmacies)
• Broccoli and leeks: very important for keeping arteries and heart healthy so eat up!
• Aged garlic (available in tablet form).

We all know about the benefit of having fish, especially oily fish twice a week including sardines, mackerel, salmon, pilchards, and because we don't always succeed in including it often enough, supplement with omega 3 fatty acid supplements.

Newsflash!
New on the market is an omega 3 fatty acid tablet containing Krill oil. The benefit of taking Krill oil is that it contains more phospholipids making it easier to be absorbed. It also contains antioxidants and omega 9 fatty acids.

If you have a high cholesterol level, it is important to avoid fats that have been processed like cold meats (salami), dry wors, pies, pastries, cheese, bacon. Replace with avocado, walnuts, oily fish, nuts and seeds.

Also include :
• Fruit and vegetables on their own or in crunchy fresh salads bursting with goodness
• Make a huge appetising fruit salad. Add low-fat custard, yoghurt, seeds
• Colourful fruit kebabs when entertaining. Looks and tastes great!
• Stock low-fat frozen yoghurt and sorbet, frozen berries
• Make wonderfully filling fruity smoothies
• Stock up on wholewheat low-fat crackers/ ryvitas with humus or cottage cheese or low-fat veggie dip
• Stock low-fat milkshakes. Have with a low-fat muffin as a quick meal
• When braaing, remember to wrap sweet potatoes and mielies in foil as great alternatives to potato salad
• Go for healthy dessert like fruit or pavlova. Add heaps of berries, a few nuts, sorbet scoops and little chunks of nougat.

Here is to a summer jam-packed with goodness!

Contributed by Amanda Weber of Dietetic Consultancy cell: 083 302 5976 e-mail: dietaw@iburst.co.za ♦
REAL RESPONSE
Here's your very own 'write in and be heard' section in HouseCall!

We feature this month's best letter in this column, whether it relates to a compliment, suggestion or complaint. We believe in listening to everyone, because this is how we improve our service to you, and we invite members to use this channel for general comments about the scheme, its products and services.

Send your letters to
Red Metrowich at
REAL RESPONSE, HouseCall!,
P O Box 3065,
Saxonwold
2132,

or

Fax 086 590 2876.

The e-mail address is: housecall@ thecheesehasmoved.com

I would like to say how disappointed I am with Fedhealth. Please explain to me why my funds are depleted as early as MAY this year? I find myself together with my son out in the cold. I have recently found out that I can`t even go to a doctor for a consultation. Last week my son had a strained knee playing soccer and is limping and can`t even have an ordinary painkiller because I have no funds for over the counter medicine. What about my balance from the previous year? What about the fact that my family and I have never been admitted to hospital?

While we have sympathy for the member, she has reached her Overall Annual Limit, and has exhausted her Savings. If we were to pay every claim submitted by members and ignore limits, the scheme would soon be headed for bankruptcy. She does, however, have R194.07 in her Out-of-Hospital Expenses Benefit and we have advised her accordingly. Whereas unused Savings can be carried over from year to year as these come from the member herself, we are prohibited by the Council for Medical Schemes from carrying over other Day-to-Day benefits.

- Editor

With regard to personal claims and related queries, please lodge them with the Call Centre only and not with this channel.

Thank you. ♦
WHEN PREGNANCY DOESN'T GO THE WAY YOU EXPECT
A Member's Partial Molar Pregnancy Experience

"I've recently gone through a very traumatic experience - a Partial Molar Pregnancy. It's a long, scary and lonely journey."

This is the story related to us in an e-mail from Natalie de Jager, one of the Fedhealth family. The Molar Pregnancy Natalie refers to is not common and most people have probably never heard of it. But it is out there and it can strike unexpectedly.

Trophoblastic disease is the clinical name and it occurs when there is an abnormal overgrowth in the placenta. At the outset it is harmless and not cancerous but it behaves in ways similar to cancer. It continues to grow and, if left untreated, can spread to other organs, including the uterus, lungs, liver and brain. Then, obviously, there are very serious problems.

There are two types of Molar Pregnancy. A Complete Molar Pregnancy occurs when the sperm fertilises an empty egg. Because the egg is empty, there is no foetus. The placenta, however, grows and produces the pregnancy hormone, HCG, but there is no baby. The second type is a Partial Molar Pregnancy, where two sperms fertilise an egg, thus creating a baby with 69 chromosomes and a placenta overgrowth. The foetus, however, is genetically abnormal and can never survive outside the womb.
Warning signs include:
• Possible ovulatory disorders
• A history of miscarriage, especially unexplained miscarriages
• A diet low in carotene (a form of Vitamin A)
• There is a progressive risk factor after the age of 35.

The good news is that, if diagnosed early, the cure rate is very good. "I am writing to you," Natalie says, "Because I'm so tired of nobody knowing what Molar Pregnancy is. I want to create awareness in case any other members of Fedhealth are unfortunate in getting the disease."

For further information see molarpregnancy.co.uk ♦
NEW MEN AT THE HELM Introducing our new Chairman and Vice-Chairman

At the first meeting of Trustees after the AGM, Johann van Vuuren was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Malcolm Kahn, who has chaired the Board since 2005. Phil Hemus was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman in succession to Johann.

Johann, who has been a Trustee since 2000, has a B.Com in Accounting and Business Economics from the University of the Free State and a B.Com (Honours) in Business Economics from Unisa. He is a Project Leader in the Financial Services Division of the Mangaung Local Municipality that includes Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. He is Chairman of the Bloemmed Health Trust, of the Free State Municipal Provident Fund and of the Alexander Forbes Provident Fund for Local Authorities. His wife, Santie, is Head of the School of Allied Health Sciences at the Free State University and they have two daughters, Elizma, who is an electronics engineer at Sasol, and Suzanne, who is a medical doctor.

Phil Hemus has a B.Com from Unisa and an Associate Diploma from the Institute of Bankers of South Africa. After holding managerial positions at the Standard Bank and Investec, where he was Principal Officer of the Investec Group Pension and Provident Funds, he decided to change his lifestyle, accepting a position as Business Manager at Uplands College in 2004 and moved to White River. He has subsequently changed career and is now an executive and life coach in training at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

An avid golfer, Phil and his wife, Liduina, and their 10 year old daughter, Claudia, live on a golf estate at White River, where they are actively involved in various community projects.

At the AGM, members elected two new Trustees. They are Marylla Govender, an independent economic consultant, and Kevin Prinsloo, who is an independent consultant in the financial services industry. ♦
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, advice and products contained in articles supplied by contributors other than employees of Fedhealth do not necessarily reflect the policy, rules or opinions of Fedhealth Medical Scheme.
 
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