Nominate a Discovery Health Trustee with diabetes

Each year, Discovery Health calls on its members to nominate a Discovery Health Trustee. This year, we have a person with diabetes in the running!

As a person with diabetes, Corne Schutte understands firsthand the challenges of managing a chronic condition — both in terms of cost and care continuity.

What is a Discovery Health Trustee?

A trustee helps manage Discovery Health Medical Scheme on behalf of all its members. Their job is to protect members’ interests by making sure the scheme is well-run, financially sound, and follows the rules. Trustees help decide on things like contribution levels, member benefits, and how the scheme is administered. They make sure the money is used wisely, that members are treated fairly, and that private medical records stay confidential. Trustees must act honestly, avoid conflicts of interest, and always put members first. Simply put — a trustee is there to help make sure your medical aid works for you.

How can the right trustee help people with diabetes?

As a trustee that understand the daily realities, medical needs, and financial pressures faced by people managing diabetes, the trustee can:

1.      Advocate for affordable chronic care

Ensuring that diabetes-related treatments, medications, and monitoring tools remain affordable and accessible through smarter benefit design and fair provider negotiations.

2.      Improve access to preventative support

Supporting wellness programmes, screenings, education, and early intervention strategies that help prevent complications and reduce long-term costs.

3.      Promote member-centred care

Championing personalised care plans, better coordination between healthcare providers, and support systems tailored to diabetic needs.

4.      Encourage innovation

Driving the adoption of technology (like glucose monitoring apps, digital coaching, and telemedicine) to empower self-management and real-time care.

5.      Protect member rights

Ensuring that people with chronic conditions like diabetes are treated fairly, with dignity and transparency, and that their voices are represented in key decisions.

Why are you the right person for the job?

Living with Insulin Dependent Type 2 Diabetes isn’t just about managing medication — it’s about navigating a complex health system every day. As someone who walks that path myself, I understand the frustrations, the costs, the questions, and the need for real, practical support. That’s why I’m standing as a trustee for Discovery Health: to represent people like us.

I bring more than personal experience — I bring 20+ years of professional expertise in systems thinking and innovation. I will bring this personal insight and professional experience into decision-making — advocating for better access to preventative care, affordable chronic medication, and member education.

I will also support innovation that empowers diabetics through technology and coordinated care. For example, I have used Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) combined with an insulin pump over the last 10 years, and this had a major impact on managing the condition. My HbA1c is now routinely below 6. I believe that this technology must be made affordable to more, and this means we need to get more affordable CGM and the latest insulin pump technology in South Africa – the market is currently limited to just a few expensive options.

My lived experience, combined with my professional background, uniquely positions me to ensure that the voices and needs of diabetic members are heard and prioritized in shaping Discovery Health’s policies and offerings.

I won’t just speak on behalf of people with diabetes — I am one. And I’ll make sure we’re heard.

How do members vote for you?

Only the principal member of the medical aid can vote: if that’s not you, ask your family member to nominate on your behalf!

Fill in this form and I’ll send you the details on email or WhatsApp: it takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Thank you for the support!