About Us
Welcome to Universal
Universal is One of the Fastest-Growing Healthcare Brands in South Africa
Our purpose is our passion, and we exist to help those who are ill to get better, to encourage those who are well to live healthier lives and to support healthcare professionals in providing evidence-based medicine with a caring approach. Our promise is to deliver each and every interaction with care, leading the change for ‘healthcare with heart’.
Our History
Our powerhouse was pioneered by a visionary trio of respected healthcare industry experts: Dr Johan Pretorius (CEO), Catharina Sevillano-Barredo (CFO), and the late Professor Jan van der Merwe. They shared a common vision: that every single citizen deserves access to quality healthcare. This has been our driving passion that fuels our core purpose: to offer our clients and their members access to quality, affordable healthcare solutions.
Dr Johan Pretorius
Chief Executive Officer
Catharina Sevillano-Barredo
Chief Financial Officer
The late Professor Jan van der Merwe
Dr Johan Pretorius
Chief Executive Officer
Catharina Sevillano-Barredo
Chief Financial Officer
The late Professor Jan van der Merwe
We Are at the Forefront of Healthcare Advancements
We pride ourselves in leading the way with innovative technology-enabled solutions that shape the future of healthcare.
The Universal Healthcare Group is a well-established, independent, private equity-owned group of companies. Universal has grown into a successful multinational company with a staff complement of more than 1 000 employees and 16 subsidiaries globally, including an innovation hub for developing leading-edge new healthcare technology in the heart of Silicon Valley in San Francisco, California. We use data, technology, and evidence-based information to develop and implement innovative and sustainable healthcare and wellness solutions.
We are trusted by more than 30 health insurance plans, including the Government Employees Medical Scheme and other prominent companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange. We provide services such as 3rd party administration, integrated healthcare management, pharmaceutical benefit management, corporate wellness, insurance, and healthcare technology.
Our Unwavering Commitment to Excellence is Evident Through our Industry-Setting Service Levels and Comprehensive Product Offerings
We believe that the patient should be the centre of any healthcare initiative and that is why we place paramount importance on delivering world-class patient care while continuously striving to enhance human life and wellness. We are driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence in every aspect of our work, always ensuring a personal touch in all that we do. Building lasting relationships and partnerships is a core value for us, and our unwavering focus is on customer satisfaction.
Universal is also committed to the economic empowerment of all previously disadvantaged individuals and supports the South African Government initiatives to achieve Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) through diverse but integrated socio-economic strategies.
Contact Us
In shaping a healthier future and revolutionising healthcare delivery. Together, we can make a difference in millions of lives.