Unity Health has become useless when you actually need them

Unity Health has become useless when you actually need them

I have been with Unity Health for 2 years and was happy with them until the changes introduced in July 2026.

On 4 August, my daughter became very sick with tonsillitis and bronchitis. She had to miss school, and I had to miss work to look after her. I called Unity Health for authorisation, only to be told I first had to speak to their online doctor. I asked for a supervisor but nobody was willing to assist me, so I eventually had no choice because my child was sick.

After explaining her symptoms, I waited about 20 minutes for them to consult their doctor, who then confirmed that she had tonsillitis based purely on the symptoms I had provided.

They sent me a prescription and told me to find a pharmacy. I went to Dis-Chem, only to be told they didn’t recognise the prescription and I had to call Unity Health again using my own airtime. Most of the medication wasn’t available anyway.

I then drove to a second pharmacy — same problem. I tried a third pharmacy and still couldn’t get the medication. I eventually gave up.

Today is 9 August and my daughter is still sick.

So now I am expected to start the entire process again, use my own airtime to call them, go through another online consultation and drive around looking for medication?

This is completely unacceptable. Healthcare should make it easier for a sick child to get treatment, not create more stress, costs and delays for parents.

I am now actively looking for alternative medical aid/insurance.

Take Unity Health at your own risk. Make sure you have enough airtime and petrol, because you are going to need both