Vitality Health International (Africa) changes its name to ⁠⁠Discovery Health - Global Health Solutions

Disclaimer

This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd; registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 February 2026 – Discovery Health has announced that Vitality Health International (Africa), its established employer health insurance business, has rebranded to ⁠⁠Discovery Health - Global Health Solutions, effective 1 January 2026. This transition reflects Discovery Health’s commitment to continuing to deliver comprehensive, data-driven healthcare solutions for employers across Africa – not only by funding members’ access to care and rewarding healthy living, but also by providing employers with the insight and control they need to manage healthcare sustainably.

“While our name has changed, our commitment to our clients and to our core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives – remains the same,” explains Emma Knox, CEO of Global Health Solutions at Discovery Health (formerly CEO of Vitality Health International).

“Global Health Solutions enables the future-focused growth of the Vitality Health International (Africa) business in two ways. First, by continuing the proven operating model of partnering with in-market insurers across Africa to deliver employer-focused solutions. Second, by enabling expansion into a broader range of solutions that meet our clients’ healthcare needs more completely, such as through our Administration Services Only (ASO) offering - a fully managed healthcare administration solution.”

From health insurer to healthcare solutions ecosystem

Working with in-market insurers, Vitality Health International (Africa) has since its inception in 2022, expanded to offer its services to clients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia, serving clients across a vast range of industries, including mining, telecommunications, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

“Not only have we empowered our members with access to high-quality healthcare on the African continent but also internationally through our global network of healthcare professionals and facilities,” explains Knox.

Through Global Health Solutions employers across Africa will also continue to benefit from access to Discovery Health’s 34 years of experience in healthcare administration and managed care – a support structure that has been integral to Vitality Health International (Africa)’s operations to date.

As South Africa’s largest medical aid administrator, Discovery Health brings world-class clinical governance, advanced risk management and one of the most sophisticated healthcare data platforms globally to the fore. “Discovery Health remains the backbone of our operations, delivering measurable value, improved health outcomes and sustainable cost management for organisations operating across the continent,” adds Knox.

Global Health Solutions takes a three-tiered ecosystem to market

Global Health Solutions provides healthcare solutions across three core pillars designed to meet the diverse needs of African employers – whether insured, self-funded or operating a hybrid model:

1. Health Insurance coverage tailored to each African market for support locally, regionally and globally

Employers can choose from eight plan options – ranging from hospital-only insurance to comprehensive cover – with flexible benefits for local staff and expatriates. Coverage includes In-country, Africa-roaming or Worldwide (excluding the USA), with annual limits from $25,000 to $3 million, providing members with access to over 6,000 healthcare providers in 52 countries across Africa and access to a global network of providers.

The recently launched Hospital Series offers smart, affordable hospital plans with essential in-patient protection, post-admission care and regional flexibility.

“We also provide a multilingual digital servicing experience in English, French and Portuguese, including access to 24/7 telephonic, WhatsApp and email support,” adds Knox.

2. Vitality - wellness that rewards healthy living

Global Health Solutions is built on Discovery’s Shared-value Insurance model, which is powered by Vitality, the gamified behavioural change programme that encourages healthier lifestyles through personalised incentives and rewards. Today, this model is used by Discovery’s insurance partners around the world, benefiting over 49 million clients in more than 40 markets.

This model is particularly relevant in Africa, where a young, digitally connected workforce faces rising lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Through Vitality, Global Health Solutions helps employers respond to this challenge by identifying health risks earlier and intervening sooner, using local market insights, machine learning and real-time analytics to deliver predictive, preventive and personalised care.

Vitality is included in Global Health Solutions’ health insurance offering. The behaviour-change programme enables employees, employers, and Global Health Solutions to share in the value and benefits of healthy behaviour by lowering healthcare costs for employers and employees, while decreasing claims risk for Global Health Solutions.

Employers are rewarded with up to 10% cashback for encouraging their employees to get healthy. Through on-site Wellness Days, digital engagement and personalised goals on the Vitality Africa app, employees are supported in understanding, improving, and actively managing their health and wellness, making lasting, positive changes. By completing their weekly goals, members can earn rewards or choose to donate their rewards to help to fund life-saving vaccines for communities in need. These rewards include vouchers from a range of country-specific Vitality rewards partners, including Jumia, Vodacom, Uber, M-Pesa, and Safaricom.

3. Administration Services Only (ASO) – transforming self-funded healthcare

ASO gives self-funded employers access to Discovery Health’s advanced administrative infrastructure, including expert claims management, accredited provider networks, 24/7 medical support and detailed, data-driven reporting.

A platform built for Africa’s future

Knox concludes: “Through Discovery Health - Global Health Solutions, we are moving beyond traditional health insurance to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem for employers across Africa. By bringing together tailored health insurance, the Vitality wellness programme and advanced administration and clinical capabilities on a single platform, we can meet a far broader range of healthcare needs for employers and their people, while staying true to Discovery’s core purpose: making people healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives.”

Find out more

• Read the Discovery Health, Global Health Solutions Insights brochure

• Watch our Discovery Health, Global Health Solutions overview video

ENDS/.