Helping others through a love of law and medicine
Sarah Louw is CEO of Valomate Medical Services, which facilitates medical treatment for the victims of car accidents
Tell me more about your work.
We provide life-saving medical services for patients. First, we make sure that patients meet all the Road Accident Fund’s (RAF’s) requirements and produce their IDs and the official police accident report.
Compliance with government legislation is essential before they can claim from the fund. This is important because when a patient is admitted with head trauma, for example, a trauma team needs to be standing by, and the private hospital’s payment is guaranteed for the treatment.
Should a patient be admitted to a government hospital, but it doesn’t have an operating theatre or cannot treat severe injuries, the patient would be transferred to a private hospital or another public facility. We assist in the overflow and the medical requirements for these patients.
Second, we act as gatekeeper to private hospitals to ensure that patients who have cover are admitted to hospital in time to receive top professional treatment. Often these patients would not have access to these facilities.
How does this set you apart from your competitors?
What sets us apart is that we pre-fund hospitals. This means that the hospitals to which we refer patients receive upfront payment for their services. We can then claim from the RAF on their behalf and are reimbursed accordingly. In addition, those who wouldn’t normally have this opportunity now have access to top private hospitals and a team of specialist doctors and surgeons. We support both the private and public sectors.
How did you end up doing this work?
I wasn’t able to attend my studies to become an advocate (I already have a law degree) because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I’ve always wanted to work in a space where I can help people and change their lives.
My goal to become an advocate was initially to work for Legal Aid. This is not where advocates tend to end up but it was where I wanted to be — on the frontline, helping people who don’t have access to the best.
Before I decided to do law I was interested in becoming a doctor, so the fact I could combine my love for the law and medicine in this sector was ideal. My dream has come true; I am now able to help less fortunate patients get the medical treatment they deserve by ensuring we meet very stringent legal requirements. I really have a cool job.
What do you enjoy most in your work?
I’m extremely passionate about what we do. Our executive team consists of the CFO, the COO and me, the CEO. We are all under the age of 35, are young mothers and we support each other, which is amazing.
What was the best advice you received earlier in your career?
My dad gave me the best advice. He said that if you want something badly enough, you have to work hard for it. If you’re not motivated, then it’s not worth it.