When you take the reins – Self-ownership in healthcare
The future of healthcare lies in self-leadership, not systems.
This is according to Varsha Vala, Principal Officer of Medihelp Medical Scheme.
“The most powerful force shaping the future of healthcare isn’t technology or policy. It is people – people who choose to take ownership of their well-being and who see healthcare as part of a bigger, more personal journey,” said Varsha.
“We see the ideal medical aid member as a person who takes ownership of their health outcomes. It’s someone who invests in their growth and is committed to becoming the best version of themselves.”
At Medihelp, this mindset is helping shift the role of a medical scheme from a service provider to a partner – working not just for its members, but with them.
From hierarchy to shared voice
Varsha’s perspective is shaped by her lived experience.
With a background in pharmacy and early work in oncology, she has seen firsthand how medical decisions are often clouded by fear, confusion, and hierarchy.
“It’s difficult, without medical training, to ask a specialist detailed questions about a seriously ill family member,” she said.
“But those conversations matter.”
That’s why Medihelp places a growing emphasis on education – not just on benefits and cover, but also on how to ask the right questions, understand the plans and benefits, and participate in decisions.
This is helping to level the playing field between doctor and patient, and between scheme and member.
“Healthcare should be a conversation,” said Varsha.
“We want to equip our members with the confidence and clarity to take part in it.”
Growth is part of good health
Ownership doesn’t stop with knowledge.
It is also about the willingness to grow – which is why Medihelp no longer only defines value by claims paid or benefits offered.
Medihelp also believes in ensuring its schemes support members through their complex and deeply personal challenges, both emotional and physical.
“We’re invested in our members as people, not just patients,” said Varsha.
“That means we must offer tools that build resilience and support well-being as a whole.”
At its heart, this premise is about helping members see themselves as active participants in a shared future and supporting them to live with purpose.
Learning to listen differently
Varsha has explored this belief in self-leadership in her own life.
Through a series of transformative courses and mentorship experiences, she has repeatedly returned to one key idea: real leadership means listening, reflecting, and acting with purpose.
From Stanford’s Design Thinking programme, which taught her to start with stories before solutions, to a leadership course focused on empathy and adaptability, each learning moment has reaffirmed her belief in growth as a mindset, not a milestone.
“Ownership is empowering,” she said.
“Whether you’re part of a team or part of a medical scheme, the more you invest in your own journey, the more you’re able to contribute to the bigger picture.”
Partnership with purpose
Medihelp is built on this same principle.
As a self-administered scheme, it exists purely for the benefit of its members, and that includes helping them thrive.
This means making healthcare accessible and affordable, while also encouraging ownership, purpose, and partnership.
It’s a community, not a hierarchy – a place where members can feel heard, supported, and empowered to pursue their own version of a healthy, meaningful life.
“We’re not just here to process claims,” said Varsha.
“We’re here to walk alongside people as they grow. That’s what it means to offer a comprehensive medical aid plan that truly makes a difference.”
More on Varsha
From chief pharmacist to top-tier healthcare executive, Varsha infuses kindness and connection into her leadership approach.
This means levelling the playing field for the medical aid member, adviser, and healthcare professional so that each tier of the ecosystem has a clear voice and the ability to add a rewarding measure of value.
As Medihelp Medical Scheme’s current Principal Officer, Varsha’s tech-focused yet touch-heavy approach is breaking new ground in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
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