Medical schemes must shoulder responsibility in broadening healthcare access
April 23, 2021
Josua Joubert
Meeting new needs in challenging times
Emerging from the toughest economic year in the country since the Great Depression with a devastating 7% contraction in GDP in 2020, times are tough for South Africans.
Josua Joubert , CEO and Principal Officer of CompCare Medical Scheme, considers how a medical scheme can broaden access to quality healthcare at this challenging moment in history.
“For average households, affordability and lasting value have in the last year shot to the very top of the priority pile, if they were not there already. This is particularly true with regard to healthcare, which – with the ongoing impact of Covid-19 – is now more important than ever before,” he says.
Joubert points out that there remains a great deal of work to be done in ensuring the healthcare needs of all South Africans are met, but in the meantime there is a trend towards healthcare consumers doing their utmost to keep their healthcare cover intact.
“Medical schemes with a good balance of experience and foresight are addressing needs in segments of the market that have previously been overlooked. Quite simply, these individuals deserve better healthcare access. CompCare has therefore taken the stance of ‘waste not, want not’ with benefit options specifically formulated to make rands go further.
“For example, our efficiency discounted (ED) option offers exceptional value by partnering with Netcare hospitals and Dis-Chem pharmacies. This can amount to as much as 25% of the normal contribution rate for a similar plan, a difference that can, for many, make or break the decision to sign up for healthcare cover. Similarly, the majority of our preventative benefits – which provide for every stage of life – are paid from scheme risk and not from day-to-day benefits, assisting to preserve member savings more effectively,” he asserts.
Joubert notes that flexibility is another pertinent factor when it comes to access, particularly for employer groups where one of the greatest challenges is finding the right provider to affordably cover several different staff bases without compromising on quality. “CompCare can solve this problem, with an option for everyone from the lowest-earning employee to the top-ranking executives, all within one scheme.
“And, while the ability to seek quality preventative care and treatment for one’s physical wellbeing is paramount to a good quality of life, mental health should be of equal importance. CompCare’s emotional wellness benefit, which is available free of charge on all options, provides a 24-hour helpline with trained clinical professionals, together with a referral for face-to-face counselling when required.
“As one of the country’s top-rated medical schemes, we take seriously the responsibility to provide healthcare cover that offers truly meaningful benefits for even the tightest of healthcare budgets. We pledge to continue reaching further than ever before to improve healthcare access, now and into the future,” Joubert concludes.
It has been estimated that 80% to 90% of doctors experience some form of burnout at some point in their careers. This can affect their ability to practise optimally and to connect with their patients with empathy and care. The consequences are serious, as burnout and depression are major risks for doctors, threatening both their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide.
Upbeat 25-year-old student Atang Climantine Makhubedu jokingly calls herself a cataract survivor. Just weeks before, however, she was battling the harsh reality of unexpected vision loss, which Dr Sachin Bawa, an ophthalmic surgeon practising at Netcare Linkwood Hospital, describes as having significantly impacted Atang’s daily life.
A South African first of its kind tool is transforming patient care locally by leveraging Netcare’s advanced electronic medical records system and abundant clinical data. This will help clinicians identify risk of deterioration from common causes earlier among intensive care patients so that treatment can start sooner.
Ditshegofatso Kgobisa, known as ‘DK’ for short, suffered kidney failure at 15. After 11 months reliant on lifesaving dialysis with National Renal Care, DK gained a new lease on life after his mother, Rosemary, was able to donate one of her kidneys to him.
Migraines affect 15% of the global population, causing severe pain and disrupting daily life. Neurologist Dr. Michael Huth emphasises the importance of understanding different migraine types and their triggers.
Dr Michael de Villiers explains why people can become sick every flu season and why the influenza vaccine is generally recommended every year.
Colorectal cancer, one of the most prevalent yet preventable cancers, can develop in the colon or rectum, often starting as small polyps that can quietly become malignant if left unchecked. Dr Mpho Ramabulana, a colorectal surgeon and gastroenterologist at Netcare Akasia Hospital, underscores the life-saving power of vigilance and the importance of early detection.
Cardiologist Dr Robert Routier urges the public to check their personal risk factors regularly to help prevent or manage cardiovascular disease.
The physical strain pregnancy puts on an expectant mother’s body should not be underestimated. An obstetrician gynaecologist offers her insights for alleviating discomfort and promoting wellbeing with exercise and stretching throughout pregnancy.
Dr Patience Sigwadi, a leading paediatric nephrologist practising at Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion, has issued an urgent call for increased focus on skills development to address the escalating kidney disease crisis among children in South Africa.
