Johannesburg — A NEW player in the health-care industry has made its entry into the market through the acquisition of Status and QA Care.

Universal Healthcare was founded by a trio of industry experts, Dr Johan Pretorius, CEO; Catharina Sevillano-Barredo, chief financial officer; and Prof Jan van der Merwe, chairman.

Universal says it aims to deliver a brand of health care to its customers and medical aid members that meets their health-care needs when they really need it.

The company says it will not only grow the existing administration and managed-care businesses, but also launch new products and services in the health-care arena in SA that will improve access to private health care for many more South Africans.

Universal says it will focus on scientific protocols to support clinical and financial risk-management decisions to provide the best clinical outcomes for members and financial outcomes for schemes.