Dreaded Disease means:

the medically certified diagnosis of the following dreaded diseases as outlined and defined in the policy document. 

Heart Attack, Stroke, Coronary Artery Surgery, Kidney failure, Cancer, Organ transplant, Coma, Paraplegia and Blindness.


Heart Attack means:

the death of a portion of a heart muscle as a result of inadequate supply of blood to the relevant area as evidenced by chest pains, ECG changes and cardiac enzyme elevation.


Stroke means:

any cerebrovascular event producing neurological sequelae lasting for more than 24 (twenty-four) hours and including infarction of brain tissue, haemorrhage and embolisation from an extracranial source, supported by evidence of permanent neurological deficit .


Coronary Artery Surgery means:

surgery to the insured due to coronary artery disease, but excluding angioplasty and intrarterial procedures. Surgery to the alpha heart valve replacement.


Kidney Failure means:

end-stage renal failure presenting as chronic irreversible failure of both kidneys to function and which results in regular renal dialysis being instituted.


Cancer means:

a disease manifested by the presence of malignant tumour characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. Leukaemia and Hodgkin's disease are included but cancer in situ is excluded.


Organ Transplant means:

human-to-human organ transplant from a donor to the insured of one or more of the following organs: Kidney, heart, lung, liver, pancreas or bone marrow.


Coma means:

a state of unconsciousness lasting for more than 7 (seven) days or 168 (one hundred and sixty-eight) hours with no reaction to external stimuli or internal needs, persisting continuously with the use of life support systems, resulting in a neurological deficit which in the opinion of Santam is of a permanent nature.


Paraplegia means:

total and irreversible loss of the use of both arms or both legs.


Blindness means:

the total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes.