It’s been three long years since the shock death of South Africa’s darling doctor, radio and TV personality Sindi van Zyl.
The HIV/Aids activist lost her life on 10 April 2021 at the age of 45 from Covid-19 complications.
Sindi was fondly known as “the people’s doctor” and the “Duchess of Healing” because of her ability to connect with and impact ordinary South Africans.
At the time of her death, Sindi van Zyl had been on a ventilator in the ICU for several months. Her husband, Marinus, revealed that her medical bills had exceeded R1 million.
TWEEPS MOURN SINDI VAN ZYL ON HER ANNIVERSARY
On the X app, followers of Sindi van Zyl marked the third anniversary of her passing.
@_Hybreed_ tweeted: “Three years ago on this day, we lost Dr Sindi van Zyl.”
Nicknamed the “Duchess of Healing” and the “people’s doctor,” the medical GP was known for her health activism, particularly in HIV and Aids.
Sindi was known for her humility, compassion, and kindness to the public and her patients, including offering free medical advice to anyone who DMed her.
Sadly, her own health took a knock when she was hospitalised after complications of contracting Covid-19. She was placed on a ventilator as she was unable to breathe on her own.
According to her husband, Marinus, the Van Zyl family needed R2 million to settle medical bills as Sindi was not on medical aid.
He told the Sunday Times: “The truth is she was in between medical aids. She didn’t have medical aid when she fell ill. She was still trying to decide which one was best. She’s the doctor in the home, so we all left that to her”.
He continued: “We thought money from mortgaging some of our properties would assist, but it wasn’t enough. We needed help. This whole thing makes me so sad. I want to cry, but I’m an Afrikaans man raised to be strong, and that’s what I’ve been.
@Stage4now tweeted on her anniversary, “May it be a reminder always to insure one’s health as well, especially when you can afford it.”
FORCED TO CANCEL HER MEDICAL AID
Sindi van Zyl was not the only celebrity to die without having medical aid.
For different reasons, another well-known female face endured similar experiences.
Two months after Sindi van Zyl’s death, veteran actress Shaleen Surtie Richards died from complications of diabetes and heart disease.
According to fellow actor and friend Lizz Meiring, Shaleen was forced to cancel her medical aid during the pandemic due to financial constraints.
She told East Coast Radio: “Millions of South Africans had to let go of their medical funds during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Shaleen was also affected. She was a professional, so she was in Cape Town, and our mutual friend took her to the hospital as she was ill.
“The doctor wanted to book her into the hospital immediately, but she couldn’t get help because she had no money.”