South Africa, June 12 -- Discovery Health CEO Dr Ron Whelan says that the progress the scheme made was not by accident.

"They reflect deliberate action across the system - earlier diagnosis, better clinical pathways, and focused support encouraging members to take control of their health," he said at the report's launch in Sandton, Johannesburg.

"When the right care and the right behaviours come together, outcomes improve significantly."

Prevention is better than cure

The medical scheme takes the saying "prevention is better than cure" to, well, heart.

Discovery Health refers to a "prevention dividend," shifting its focus from simply treating illnesses to proactively preventing health complications.

This involves encouraging members...