Category: General Interest

Categories : General InterestTags :

Shattering Ceilings: How Women are Revolutionising Healthcare in SA

On By ModernMedia
Nokuzola Mtshiya

In South Africa’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, women are not just participants—they are pioneers, breaking barriers and driving transformative change. With women making up approximately 51.1% of South Africa’s population and over 50% of the African continent’s population of more than 1.4 billion people, their contributions are integral to the region’s progress. In the healthcare sector, women form the backbone of the workforce, representing a significant majority in roles ranging from frontline patient care to high-level decision-making.

writes Ms Nokuzola Mtshiya, Head: Stakeholder Relations and Business Development, Board of Healthcare Funders

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) celebrates the incredible women who are leading the charge, advocating for equity, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusivity at every level of the system. As trailblazers, they are not only providing essential frontline care but are also shaping strategies that will influence the future of healthcare in South Africa and beyond. This moment calls for even more women to step into leadership roles, to amplify their impact and continue to reshape the future of healthcare across the continent. Among the many remarkable women making a difference, we celebrate a few who are setting the standard for excellence and progress in the sector.

Professor Deborah Glencross: Revolutionising HIV diagnostic immunology

Professor Deborah Glencross’s journey from childhood, which was marked by frequent hospital visits, to becoming a leading expert in haematology and molecular medicine. is nothing short of extraordinary. Initially aspiring to be a paediatrician, her path changed due to health challenges. This shift led her to a groundbreaking career at the National Health Laboratory Service, where she has made a significant impact in the field of HIV care.

Prof Glencross’s development of the PanLeucogated (PLG) CD4 assay has been pivotal in improving the quality and affordability of CD4 testing, a crucial aspect of HIV care. Her innovation has saved South Africa approximately R12 billion, reflecting her ability to drive significant advancements despite resource limitations. This achievement underscores the potential for local insights and creativity to lead to profound healthcare improvements.

Throughout her career, Prof Glencross has been deeply involved in flow cytometry technology, which contributed to her pioneering work in HIV diagnostics. Her success is also attributed to the mentorship she received from influential figures such as Prof Barry Mendelow and Prof Ruben Sher. Their support helped shape her research focus and contributed to her international recognition.

Prof Glencross’s career highlights the importance of persistence and effective management of both professional and personal responsibilities. She advises young women in healthcare to seek support and let go of guilt, emphasising the need for better support systems such as on-site childcare and flexible work hours. Her vision for the future includes driving impactful solutions through local knowledge and creativity rather than relying solely on large grants. 

This driven and caring healthcare professional’s legacy is testimony to the significant impact that dedicated individuals can have on transforming healthcare and improving lives.

Dr Gloria Tshukudu: Innovator in plastic and reconstructive surgery

Dr Gloria Tshukudu’s career in healthcare is a powerful example of dedication and resilience. From a young age, influenced by her mother’s career as a nurse, Dr Tshukudu knew she wanted to be a doctor. Despite facing numerous challenges, including struggles with specialisation and balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities, she remained steadfast in her commitment to medicine.

Dr Tshukudu has achieved notable milestones in her career, including becoming the first South African woman to qualify as a plastic surgeon in 2013, pioneering research on chemical peels for ethnic skin and making significant advancements in plastic surgery. Her contributions have not only advanced her field but have also helped address issues related to gender dynamics and representation within healthcare.

Navigating the complex interplay between work, family responsibilities and societal expectations has been a significant part of Dr Tshukudu’s career. She has advocated for improved support systems, including better maternity leave and access to childcare, to enhance the working conditions for women in healthcare. Her leadership style emphasises empathy, support, and perseverance, reflecting her belief in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Dr Tshukudu’s efforts have significantly increased the representation of women and marginalised groups in healthcare. Through mentoring and supporting younger professionals, she has contributed to the evolution of the healthcare sector, ensuring that future generations benefit from the advancements and opportunities she has championed.

Melanie Da Costa: A visionary in healthcare strategy and policy

Melanie Da Costa is a trailblazer in healthcare strategy and policy. She combines her expertise as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Master of Commerce (MCom) to make a profound impact on the healthcare sector. Her career began in the investment world, where she distinguished herself as a healthcare investment analyst and fund manager. Notably, she served as the Head of Equity Research for HSBC’s South African office, showcasing her deep understanding of financial dynamics and strategic insight.

In May 2006, Da Costa transitioned to Netcare, where she has been instrumental in the organisation’s strategic evolution. Her role in founding the Health Policy Unit has been crucial in shaping national health policy. Her responsibilities at Netcare include overseeing health policy, funder contracting and strategic initiatives, with a focus on international opportunities until 2018.

Da Costa’s influence extends beyond South Africa. She has played a key role in global healthcare policy discussions, leading Netcare’s participation in the South African Competition Commission Healthcare Market Inquiry and serving as the Board lead in the UK’s Competition Markets Authority Healthcare Inquiry. Her strategic acumen was further demonstrated during her tenure on the Board of BMI Healthcare in the United Kingdom, where she contributed until the group’s change of control in 2018.

Currently serving as the Managing Director of Netcare Akeso, Da Costa continues to drive strategic growth and innovation. Her leadership during the government-led pandemic response, including the vaccine rollout, was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 from the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), honouring her contributions to health policy and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare systems. 

Dr Keo Tabane: Shaping the future of oncology care

Dr Keo Tabane’s journey into oncology bears witness to her unwavering commitment to service and excellence. Raised by an Anglican priest, her formative years instilled in her a profound sense of purpose, steering her toward a career where she could make a meaningful impact.

After completing her undergraduate training in 1999, Dr Tabane embarked on her medical career with an internship at Kalafong Hospital, followed by community service in Makopane. 

A defining moment in Dr Tabane’s career came early on during her internship when she faced prejudices as a young black woman. Instead of being deterred, she used this challenge as fuel for her drive, leading to her success and subsequent invitation to return as a specialist.

Her dedication and expertise earned her the prestigious Charlotte MacLeachy Award for medical excellence in 2019. By 2002, she returned to Johannesburg, becoming a specialist in internal medicine and later a pioneering force in medical oncology.

Dr Tabane attributes much of her success to the mentorship of Dr Daniel Vorobyov, whose guidance profoundly influenced her patient-centred approach. Balancing the demands of a high-stakes career with personal life has not been without its challenges. She views work-life integration as a dynamic dance rather than a static balance, blending her professional and personal spheres to enhance both.

Her advice to aspiring women in healthcare emphasises the importance of self-care and respecting personal boundaries. Dr Tabane envisions her legacy as one defined by a focus on patient-centred care, advocating for initiatives to tackle burnout and promote value-based care that keeps pace with medical innovation. Her vision for the future of healthcare is one where progress and patient welfare are intertwined, ensuring that every advancement serves to enhance the quality of care.

These women exemplify leadership and innovation in South Africa’s healthcare sector, making significant contributions that drive progress and equity. From advancing diagnostics and pioneering new treatments to shaping policy and driving strategic growth, their diverse achievements highlight the transformative power of women in healthcare. 

Their dedication and impact ensure that adequate healthcare reaches every corner of the nation, inspiring future generations to continue their legacy of excellence and service.

Categories : General InterestTags :

Celebrating Aurélien Breton: A Champion of Patient Access to Innovation in South Africa

On By ModernMedia

In a world where healthcare challenges are evolving at an unprecedented pace, innovative leadership has become the cornerstone of transformative progress. 

Visionaries such as Aurélien Breton exemplify this dynamic approach, blending passion with strategic insight to drive meaningful change. By placing patient wellbeing at the heart of their mission, these leaders are not merely navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape, but redefining it. 

Their commitment to advancing patient access and optimising care underscores a powerful message: that true leadership in healthcare is about more than just responding to current needs, but anticipating future demands and crafting solutions that elevate the quality of life for patients around the globe.

For nearly five years, Aurélien has been a driving force within the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA), serving as a cornerstone of the Executive Committee and leading the Patient Access to Innovation (PAI) Working Group. 

His journey with IPASA reflects a deep commitment to improving patient access to life-saving medicines, tackling the significant challenges within South Africa’s healthcare system, and advocating for those most in need.

“For me, being a part of IPASA means engaging in a collective effort that extends beyond personal or corporate interests to enhance the broader healthcare landscape in South Africa,” says Aurélien.

A native of France and current Managing Director of Southern and Eastern Africa at Servier, Aurélien’s passion for healthcare brought him to South Africa in 2019 driven by a desire to contribute to something greater than himself and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all South African patients. 

“I am a firm believer that a true leader is someone who wakes up every morning driven by a deep sense of purpose. For me, that purpose is ensuring access to innovative medicines for those who need them most. Our work in providing medicines transcends mere numbers; it profoundly impacts the lives of patients and their families, enhancing their quality of life and serving a greater purpose beyond business,” he adds.

While Aurélien’s role has evolved since joining IPASA, his mission has remained constant – to address barriers to patient access and help patients benefit from innovative medicines. Under his leadership, the PAI Working Group has engaged key stakeholders, including government bodies, medical schemes, and patient advocacy groups, to improve access to innovative treatments. 

Aurélien admits that despite engaging with all relevant stakeholders, progress has been sluggish. He attributes this to the healthcare environment at large, where excessive processes and regulations dilute responsibilities and hinder effective action. 

“Constructing a path to improvement is challenging due to unresponsiveness and barriers, including a lack of urgency from some stakeholders and uncertainty surrounding the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. This has slowed efforts to enhance patient access to life-saving medicines. We must focus on refining the existing system rather than waiting for a complete overhaul.”

Despite these challenges, including others such as infrastructure, access to innovative medicines and their associated high costs, Aurélien and the team have made significant strides. Most notably, the Group has been instrumental in fostering strong engagement between medical schemes, the Council for Medical Schemes, patient advocacy groups, and others; while several prominent medical schemes, such as Discovery Health and Medscheme have entered into agreements that could improve access to innovative medicines in the future. 

Aurélien is quick to credit the collective efforts and dedication of the PAI Working Group for the progress achieved during his tenure, acknowledging their willingness to invest time and energy in something greater than themselves. He recognises the significant long-term commitment required, noting the burdensome and relentless nature of the work, which can lead to discouragement or frustration. Despite facing hurdles, the PAI Working Group has met these with resilience and determination to drive progress and effect meaningful change.

While Aurélien has helped achieve significant strides in improving patient access across the South African healthcare landscape, he is eager to broaden his impact by extending his expertise to other countries where he will continue his work in improving patient access.  

“While I am sad to be moving from South Africa, I believe I have helped set the foundation for change in the country. Even though the registration of innovative medicines has improved, access to these potentially life-saving medicines and increasing the public visibility of patient voices remains a challenge. I implore everyone involved to continue working tirelessly to break down these barriers, ensuring that all patients can benefit from the innovations that have the power to transform their lives. The work is far from over, and we must maintain our commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for all,” concludes Aurélien. 

Reflecting on Aurélien’s contributions, Bada Pharasi, CEO at IPASA, adds: “Aurélien’s commitment to improving patient access and healthcare innovation reflects a deep-seated passion for making a tangible difference. As he embarks on this new chapter, we, as IPASA, thank him for his commitment and drive to contribute positively to the healthcare landscape in South Africa. His influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire and impact many in the industry.”

Categories : General Interest HospitalsTags :

Meeting at Eye Level in Hospitals Improves Patient Experience and Outcomes

On By ModernMedia

Review of research suggests patients feel better when providers sit or crouch during bedside conversations

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Doctors and other healthcare workers, you may want to sit down for this news. A systematic review of studies suggests that getting at a patient’s eye level when talking with them about their diagnosis or care can really make a difference. 

Their findings, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, revealed that sitting or crouching at a hospitalised patient’s bedside was associated with more trust, satisfaction and even better clinical outcomes than standing, according to the review of evidence.

The study’s authors, from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, note that most of the studies on this topic varied with their interventions and outcomes, and were found to have high risk of bias. 

So, the researchers sat down and figured out how to study the issue as part of their own larger evaluation of how different nonverbal factors impact care, perceptions and outcomes.

Until their study ends, they say their systematic review should prompt clinicians and hospital administrators to encourage more sitting at the bedside. 

Something as simple as making folding chairs and stools available in or near patient rooms could help – and in fact, the VA Ann Arbor has installed folding chairs in many hospital rooms at the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center.

Nathan Houchens, MD, the U-M Medical School faculty member and VA hospitalist who worked with U-M medical students to review the evidence on this topic, says they focused on physician posture because of the power dynamics and hierarchy of hospital-based care. 

We hope our work will bring more recognition to the significance of sitting and the general conclusion that patients appreciate it.”

-Nathan Houchens, M.D.

An attending or resident physician can shift that relationship with a patient by getting down to eye level instead of standing over them, he notes. 

He credits the idea for the study to two former medical students, who have now graduated and gone on to further medical training elsewhere: Rita Palanjian, M.D., and Mariam Nasrallah, M.D. 

“It turns out that only 14 studies met criteria for evaluation in our systematic review of the impacts of moving to eye level, and only two of them were rigorous experiments,” said Houchens. 

“Also, the studies measured many different things, from length of the patient encounter and patient impressions of empathy and compassion, to hospitals’ overall patient evaluation scores as measured by standardised surveys like the federal HCAHPS survey.”

In general, he says, the data paint the picture that patients prefer clinicians who are sitting or at eye level, although this wasn’t universally true. 

And many studies acknowledged that even when physicians were assigned to sit with their patients, they didn’t always do so – especially if dedicated seating was not available. 

Houchens knows from supervising U-M medical students and residents at the VA that clinicians may be worried that sitting down will prolong the interaction when they have other patients and duties to get to. 

But the evidence the team reviewed suggests this is not the case. 

He notes that other factors, such as concerns about infection transmission, can also make it harder to consistently get to eye level. 

“We hope our work will bring more recognition to the significance of sitting and the general conclusion that patients appreciate it,” said Houchens. 

Making seating available, encouraging physicians to get at eye level, and senior physicians making a point to sit as role models for their students and residents, could help too. 

A recently launched VA/U-M study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and called the M-Wellness Laboratory study, includes physician posture as part of a bundle of interventions aimed at making hospital environments more conducive to healing and forming bonds between patient and provider. 

In addition to encouraging providers to sit by their patients’ bedsides, the intervention also includes encouraging warm greetings as providers enter patient rooms and posing questions to patients about their priorities and backgrounds during conversations.

The researchers will look for any differences in hospital length of stay, readmissions, patient satisfaction scores, and other measures between the units where the bundle of interventions is being rolled out, and those where it is not yet.

Source: University of Michigan

Categories : General Interest VaccinesTags :

“Not Being Afraid to Speak out, it does get me into Trouble Quite Often,” Says Prof Shabir Madhi

On By ModernMedia
Professor Shabir Madhi of Wits University. Photo: supplied.

By Biénne Huisman

Amid the uncertainty of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Shabir Madhi often stood out for his clarity of thought in making sense of rapidly evolving scientific evidence. Biénne Huisman chatted to Madhi about vaccines, ongoing challenges with the Gauteng health department, and being outspoken about issues such as the war in Gaza.

Professor Shabir Madhi became known to many in South Africa for leading the charge in two of the first COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials conducted in Africa – those for the AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines. At a time of much scientific uncertainty, he was often quoted in the press – gaining a reputation for keeping his cool and calling things as he saw them based on available evidence.

He spoke out against the politicisation of science and was a staunch advocate for access to vaccines, especially for older people at higher risk of severe illness and death. He wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, openly criticising government’s COVID-19 vaccine communication efforts and arguing that government should take vaccines to the people, rather than the other way around. He called for the ending of strict lockdowns, before many others did so. Reflecting on his reputation for not holding back on his beliefs, he admits to “having a short fuse, especially when people are talking nonsense – or what I consider to be entirely off the mark”.

What may be less obvious to the public, is that Madhi’s healthcare impact precedes COVID by decades.

Internationally respected for his research into paediatric infectious diseases, his work has helped to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and informed World Health Organization policy (WHO) – notably relating to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (to prevent pneumonia and meningitis) and the rotavirus vaccine (to prevent diarrhoeal disease in young children).

His work continues. Just last year a landmark study, led in South Africa by Madhi’s Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), found that immunisation of pregnant women safely protected their unborn babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As Spotlight reported at the time, researchers estimate the vaccine can save thousands of young lives.

Speaking to Spotlight over Zoom from Wits in Johannesburg, where he is Dean of Health Sciences, Madhi relays his love of treating kids – who “most importantly, don’t lie, and who are the most vulnerable”.

“Accidental vaccinologist”

Madhi has been described as an “accidental vaccinologist”. Shrugging inside a navy suit, he says he never intended to become a physician, let alone a professor in vaccinology. At medical school at Wits, he nearly dropped out after a month.

As a child, growing up in Lenasia, Madhi wanted to become an engineer. But born to a mathematics teacher father and a stay at home mum, money was tight. His only opportunity to attend university presented itself via a bursary in medicine.

“I only really started to enjoy medicine once I specialised in paediatrics,” he says. “But more importantly, that’s when I realised the huge potential that existed in medicine to make a difference, particularly the potential for vaccines to make a big difference over a short period of time – not on an individual level, but at a community level. And that’s what really drove me into the space of research.”

While doing his peadiatric training at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (he obtained a master’s degree in paediatrics from Wits in 1998), it struck him that the leading causes of death among children were entirely preventable.

“Back then, close to 750 000 children were dying of measles globally; half of those deaths were happening in Africa, despite the vaccine for measles being available since the 1970s. South Africa was one of the countries with a poor public immunisation programme; up until 1992 South Africa didn’t have a public immunisation programme.”

In 2009, in a first on the African continent, pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines were finally officially rolled out in South Africa.

“While I was training at Baragwanath, there was a ward just for children with gastroenteritis or diarrhoea,” he recalls. “But six months after we introduced the rotavirus vaccine in South Africa [in 2009], we shut down the diarrhoea ward at Baragwanath and probably every other diarrhoea ward in the country.”

Contributing internationally

Today Madhi’s CV is long. He sits on scores of scientific advisory committees, attending conferences and delivering talks around the world.

Since 2019, he has served on a global panel of experts convened by the WHO, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), of which he now is deputy chair. He also chairs the SAGE working group on polio.

“I’m really enjoying SAGE at the moment,” he says. “This is where I think I am making a meaningful contribution. It really is an eye opener to the different types of research that’s taking place globally; but also the type of challenges we face in terms of ensuring that children are adequately immunised.

“It’s great to be working on new vaccines, coming up with new vaccines; but that’s a meaningless exercise unless you can ensure that those vaccines are getting into the arms of children – because that is what saves lives. So yes, dealing with issues around implementation and advocacy.”

SAGE requires frequent trips to Geneva, where the WHO is based.

Our discussion turns to business travel – the amount required for a researcher to remain “relevant and competitive”. With typical candour, Madhi outlines challenges faced by researchers from the global south.

“I think coming from South Africa, coming from the African continent, it’s more of a challenge for researchers to establish themselves, for a number of reasons. Firstly to become known in the international space, you probably need to deliver so much more than what is expected from our northern hemisphere counterparts.

“Then in addition to the inconvenience of needing to travel so often, there are subtle things which people in the northern hemisphere don’t have to deal with. Needing to get visas and dealing with customs officials when entering countries.

“It can become an extremely unpleasant experience, and you really need to swallow your pride given what is blatant racism at times. For example, nowadays I refuse to fly through Germany because the customs office in Frankfurt is probably the worst I have encountered. All of a sudden, they would keep me and question me for both arrival, as well as departure…”

Local challenges

The discussion turns back to South Africa, and health challenges in his home province of Gauteng. Here also Madhi has tried to make a difference, but it hasn’t been plain sailing.

Commenting on a floundered memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between Wits and the Gauteng Department of Health in June 2022, Madhi says: “The bottom line unfortunately; the Gauteng Department of Health simply doesn’t have stability of leadership. At the level of the MEC in particular; I mean since I’ve been dean, there’s been about four or five heads of department. And it becomes difficult to follow through with any of these programmes.”

Madhi adds that Wits university executives had worked on the memorandum for seven years. The agreement set out a plan to combine university and government resources in “academic health complexes” for enhanced service delivery. But the Department of Health put it on hold three months later, following a related Public Service Commission inquiry.

He explains: “They convened this big workshop, spending probably a mini fortune, to basically facilitate the establishment of an MOA, not just between Wits and the Department of Health, but between the Department of Health and many other academic hospitals in the province. Because of the intervention, the Department of Health indicated that they weren’t going to implement our MOA until that particular commission concluded their work. But since then, there’s been absolutely no report from that meeting.”

Not afraid to speak out

On social media, Madhi speaks out about atrocities being committed in Gaza.

To Spotlight, he says leadership holds no place for neutrality.

“As part of leadership, and I do consider myself a leader in the different roles that I play – either in my research unit or currently as university dean – you need to be prepared to take a stance. You can’t remain neutral on positions. You need to interrogate facts. And once having interrogated the facts, you need to reach a conclusion; then follow through with what is required, if there’s anything that needs to be implemented.”

Madhi says his leadership style was honed during childhood. “Not being afraid to speak out, it does get me into trouble quite often,” he says, laughing. “I think that’s just part of my upbringing, being an activist during apartheid in the Lenasia Youth League and other activist organisations. My upbringing was, when things are not what it’s meant to be, you speak out; you champion the right cause.”

These days Madhi lives in Northcliff with his wife, with whom he has two children. His favourite football team is Arsenal and a book he says he recently enjoyed was The Covenant of Water – a three generation family account set in India, by physician and author Abraham Verghese.

Republished from Spotlight under a Creative Commons licence.

Read the original article

Categories : General Interest Medical IndustryTags :

Essenwood Residential Home – A Case Study in Elevated Care Through Staffing Partnership

On By ModernMedia

Essenwood Residential Home, a haven for senior women since the 1850s in Durban, South Africa, provides exceptional care for its residents. However, managing the complexities of HR for a growing number of caregivers became a burden, taking away time and resources from core resident care duties. This is where Allmed, a specialist medical personnel solutions provider, stepped in to make a significant difference.

A long history of caring
Founded by the Durban Benevolent Society to provide care for elderly women, it initially resided on Victoria Street and in 1921, the home relocated to its current location on Essenwood Road, a larger and more suitable site. The Greenacre family played a pivotal role in this development, with Walter Greenacre donating the land and a bequest from his father, Sir Benjamin Greenacre, facilitating the construction.

Over the years, Essenwood has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its residents. It acquired autonomy in 1950 and established a dedicated assisted living wing in 1970. Most recently, in 2015, the home underwent extensive renovations to ensure it remained a safe and comfortable haven for its residents. Currently, Essenwood is home to 85 residents, with the capacity to care for 110.

The challenge of HR burdens stifling quality care
Essenwood, like many care facilities, struggled with the time-consuming tasks of HR management. Nursing Services Manager, Colleen Dempers, found herself spending a considerable amount of time on tasks like rostering, replacements for absent staff, and disciplinary issues. This detracted from the home’s primary focus – ensuring the well-being and individual care of residents.

“We found that we were spending so much time on HR issues that it became a huge distraction, Dempers explains. “It detracted us from additional time on HR issues that could be better spent on quality of care. This is what led us to Allmed for a solution.”

Allmed to the rescue with a partnership for success
Building on their established trust with Allmed, a partnership that began in 2016, Essenwood Residential Home made a strategic move to elevate resident care. Allmed was already providing relief support for registered nurses and enrolled nurses, offering a flexible solution for fluctuating staffing needs. The governing board made the tactical decision to entrust Allmed with their entire caregiving staff, ensuring continuity and quality.

“Our core function is resident care,” clarifies Chad Saus, Essenwood Residential Home’s General Manager. “We need to provide individual attention, activities, and a stimulating environment. By outsourcing HR, IR and payroll for 56 caregivers, along with the flexibility of additional resources when needed, Allmed frees us to focus on what truly matters – our residents.”

Streamlining operations for quality care with the Allmed advantage
The partnership with Allmed has yielded multiple benefits for Essenwood:

  • Reduced HR burden: Allmed took over recruitment, payroll, and disciplinary processes for caregivers, freeing up Essenwood’s staff to focus on resident care and quality of service.
  • Enhanced responsiveness: Allmed provided prompt and efficient support, addressing Essenwood’s concerns quickly and professionally. Whether it was staffing issues, training needs, or resident care challenges, Allmed offered round-the-clock support, solutions, and a “can-do” attitude.
  • Improved caregiver fit: Allmed understood Essenwood’s care philosophy and resident needs. The caregivers placed by Allmed at Essenwood integrated seamlessly into the environment, providing the high-quality care residents deserve.
  • Leadership that listens: Essenwood valued Allmed’s commitment to open communication. Any concerns raised by Essenwood were addressed promptly and collaboratively.

The impact: residents feel the difference
The positive ripple effects of the Essenwood-Allmed partnership are evident in the high standard of care received by residents. With a dedicated and well-matched caregiving staff, Essenwood can cater to individual needs and provide a more enriching environment for its residents.

A model partnership for senior care
The Essenwood Residential Home exemplifies the success achievable through a well-structured healthcare staffing partnership. By outsourcing HR and leveraging a qualified care staffing agency, Essenwood has demonstrably improved the quality of care for its residents. This model can serve as an inspiration for senior care facilities seeking to elevate their services and prioritise resident well-being.

Categories : General InterestTags :

Holiday Season Already? Anticipation Might Make Time Seem to Fly

On By ModernMedia

Those excited for Christmas or Ramadan are more likely to feel they come quicker, study shows

Photo by Malvestida on Unsplash

Christmas or Ramadan might seem to come around more quickly each year, for people who pay more attention to time, are more forgetful of plans, and love a good holiday. A research team led by Ruth Ogden of Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and Saad Sabet Alatrany of Imam Ja’afar Al-Sadiq University, Iraq, published these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on July 10, 2024. They suggest this could mean that someone’s experience of time is shaped not only by what they’ve done, but what is left to do.

“Christmas seems to come quicker each year,” is a staple of small talk. But the feeling that a holiday comes around faster could also mean that someone’s sense of time is slightly distorted. To find out how often people sense this phenomenon, and what shapes their perception of time, Ogden and colleagues conducted a survey of more than 1000 people in the United Kingdom and more than 600 people in Iraq. They asked them if they believed Christmas or Ramadan came more quickly each year, and measured their memory function and attention to time as well as asking about age, gender, and social life.

The authors found 76 percent of people in the United Kingdom felt Christmas came quicker every year, and 70 percent of people in Iraq felt the same about Ramadan. For both cases, people were more likely to report this perceived acceleration if they enjoyed the holiday, and also for UK participants, if they reported better social lives. In both Iraq and the UK, people were more likely to feel holidays came earlier if they thought about the passage of time more often, and if they were prone to prospective memory errors – such as forgetting to do a planned task. Perhaps surprisingly, age did not play a role in the perception.

While Ramadan and Christmas are very different holidays, and perceptions of time could certainly be influenced by marketing and other factors, the scientists suggest that our experience of time might be shaped both by our attention to its passage and by our plans for the future.

Provided by PLOS

Categories : General Interest Medical IndustryTags :

Social Media’s Double-edged Sword: Boosting Connections or Risking Careers?

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Pexels on Pixabay

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionising how we communicate, connect and share information. So much so that insights suggest that over 5 billion people worldwide use social media, with 259 million users coming online within the last year. Closer to home, of the 45 million internet users in South Africa, 26 million use social media. 

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), have bridged gaps, brought distant loved ones closer, and created communities around shared interests and passions. While these platforms have enriched our personal lives in countless ways, they are also a mixed blessing, impacting the professional lives of some individuals in unprecedented ways.

According to Jennifer Barkhuizen, Head of Marketing at MIE, companies are increasingly relying on screening the social media platforms of potential and current employees to gain a window into a candidate’s true self, and provide insights into their hobbies, interests and overall personality. 

“For companies, social media has become an invaluable tool to find the perfect cultural fit for their organisations. However, this practice also uncovers another side of the coin, exposing any unprofessional or inappropriate behaviour that companies may not want to be associated with,” she says.

A significant 70% of recruiters, both across the human resources industry and those within companies, now use social media to screen potential candidates, a trend that continues to grow rapidly. As the digital footprint of individuals becomes more prominent, the trend of social media screening is expected to continue its upward trajectory, reshaping the recruitment landscape.

While the increasing reliance on social media screening by recruiters is bolstering the recruitment process, it is also having a profound psychosocial impact on employees. 

“Knowing that their online activities are being screened can lead to anxiety and a sense of privacy being invaded,” adds Barkhuizen. “Employees may feel pressured to meticulously curate their online presence and the content that they post, which can be mentally exhausting and foster a sense of inauthenticity. The fear of being judged for past posts or casual comments can undermine personal freedom and contribute to a perpetual state of vigilance.” 

Although social media screening helps companies make more informed hiring decisions, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the psychological burden it places on individuals navigating the increasingly blurred lines between their personal and professional lives.

For individuals, balancing positive and negative content on social media is crucial, particularly in the context of social recruiting. Here, studies indicate that positive content, such as showcasing achievements, sharing inspirational messages, and participating in professional discussions, can significantly enhance a candidate’s appeal. Furthermore, positive interactions on social media can create a favourable impression, portraying candidates as engaged, motivated and a cultural fit for the organisation.

“Conversely, negative content, including illicit activity, unprofessional behaviour and controversial opinions, can be detrimental and raise red flags about a candidate’s suitability for a professional environment,” explains Barkhuizen. “So much so that a survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that of the 70% of employers who screen candidates on social media, 54% have decided not to hire a candidate based on their online presence.”

Barkhuizen adds that while people seek to be publicly visible online as they look to share their own ‘personal brand’, thoughts and opinions with the world, it is only when an individual crosses into engaging in undesirable or illicit content that they risk their own reputation and that of their employer.

Despite social media screening potentially leading to anxiety for individuals, it’s a crucial step for businesses to ensure they hire the right candidates. This practice helps protect the company’s reputation by identifying online behaviour that could negatively impact the organisation. It also helps ensure a good cultural fit by revealing candidates’ values and interests, aligning them with the company’s ethos. 

To mitigate the risks associated with using social media during the screening process, Barkhuizen points to five key best practices that HR professionals should abide by. These include:

  1. Develop a social media screening policy: Document a policy outlining the purpose, scope and procedure for social media screening to minimise bias or discrimination. Separate decision-makers from those conducting checks to ensure a fair and compliant hiring process.
  2. Educate staff: Train staff on the legal and ethical aspects of social media screening, ensuring they apply the process consistently to all candidates in the same job category,
  3. Be transparent: Inform candidates about the screening process and obtain their written consent if a social media check is conducted. 
  4. Be respectful: Respect candidates’ privacy settings and only view publicly available information. Avoid “friending” or “following” candidates during the hiring process.
  5. Be impartial and job-specific: Focus on professional information relevant to the job, such as skills and accomplishments. Document information consistently and avoid using protected characteristics like race, religion or gender. To this end, it is advisable to use a third party supplier to avoid bias. 

In today’s digital landscape, where social media is a powerful yet double-edged sword, leveraging the expertise of industry leaders such as MIE can make a significant difference. 

With trusted and innovative smart vetting solutions, MIE’s extensive industry knowledge ensures thorough and reliable background checks, helping businesses navigate the complexities of social media screening to make informed, strategic hiring decisions while safeguarding their reputation and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

Categories : General Interest HospitalsTags :

Private Clinic Offers Affordable Healthcare for its Community

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Derek Finch

Only 16% of South Africans can afford private healthcare, and many low-income earners cannot afford healthcare and must rely on community clinics. These facilities are under intense pressure as they often cannot cope with the demand. For many workers, getting medical attention at these facilities means waiting for hours and being unable to work for a day and therefore losing wages. However, things could change if the pioneering efforts of a dedicated nurse with the financial backing of Standard Bank reach their full national potential.

“We assist this sector by working longer hours than do local government clinics that only open five days a week. Our services are available seven days a week at R300 per visit. Those able to pay for primary healthcare often must travel long distances to get to pharmacy-based primary healthcare clinics, mostly in the suburbs. The Rapha Clinic has been strategically placed between the city and the townships so that it can be easily reached by people commuting from their homes to the city,” says Ntombi Skosane, founder of Rapha Healthcare Services.

For Skosane, the clinic, which is located in the Montana area of Pretoria, realised her dream of being able to fill a vital gap in providing primary and basic healthcare to her community.

“As a nurse with 30 years in both the public and the private sector, I believed that I could open a clinic where I could establish a community service offering quality healthcare at affordable rates. The growing success of our operation shows that I was correct,” she adds.

Using her experience of clinics as a guide, Skosane has opted to have Rapha offer nine core services ranging from antenatal care and family planning to assisting with immunisations and wound care, as well as helping those with chronic illnesses and HIV testing and counselling.

“The Rapha Clinic met the stringent guidelines for being considered for a grant. These included an assessment of the viability of the business by the Standard Bank Enterprise Development Funding Committee, the commitment and required personal investment of the owner, and the sector in which the business operates. Although the business was operating successfully, it needed financial assistance to reach its full potential. In this case, the company needed additional stock and equipment to deliver a full service. After considering the application, Standard Bank purchased the required equipment for Rapha,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank.

Skosane says that acquiring additional medical and surgical stock, emergency trollies, a vaccine fridge, wheelchairs, and air-conditioning through Standard Bank meant that the clinic would be able to attend to more patients more efficiently.

Rapha may be just a single clinic, but new outlets are being planned for Gauteng and the North West Province. Ten new clinics are being considered, as are health assessment centres in partnership with gyms and medical aids.

“We believe that Rapha Healthcare Services has a bright future. We look forward to playing a central role in growing the nation’s small business sector and developing relationships with a new generation of entrepreneurs,” says Mosomane.

Categories : General Interest PaediatricsTags :

Vodacom and Smile Foundation Celebrate a Legacy of Smiles in Children’s Lives

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Amina Filkins

Since 2007, Vodacom Foundation has proudly partnered with the Smile Foundation to support Smile Week, an initiative that provides life-changing reconstructive surgery to children with treatable facial anomalies. Smile Week not only addresses the physical challenges faced by these young people but also alleviates the emotional distress associated with feeling different, enabling them to embrace their lives to the fullest.

“As we mark Vodacom’s 30th anniversary this year, it’s a good time to reflect on the dramatic change in the countries in which we operate, in terms of bringing connectivity to people. What we are also particularly proud of is how we have brought purpose to society and how we have made a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” says Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO.

Orofacial cleft lip/palate (CLP) remains in the top five of South Africa’s most common congenital disorders. Smile Week sees surgeons, their surgical teams, and other medical professionals around the country dedicate their time and expertise to perform reconstructive surgery on children whose families would not otherwise have been able to afford it.

“Families invariably find their way to state hospital facilities, where there are very capable and competent surgeons and medical professionals, but budget constraints have often meant elective surgery has to wait before more critical cases are addressed,” says Marc Lubner, founder and executive chairman of the Smile Foundation.

To date, the partnership between Vodacom and the Smile Foundation has benefited 600 children, with the shared goal of enhancing their overall quality of life and well-being.

“I want to thank all the medical professionals for being partners with us since 2007, and for giving their time and commitment to make this a reality. Vodacom’s support of Smile Week reaffirms our commitment as a company to use our capabilities collaboratively for a brighter, more inclusive future,” says Joosub.

In this video, parents and Smile Week recipients share their experiences and the importance of this initiative in transforming lives.

Click here to access the high-impact video

Categories : General InterestTags :

Prominent Cardiologist’s Passing a Loss to KZN Healthcare

On By ModernMedia

Colleagues pay tribute to highly respected Dr Singh  

Dr Surendra Singh. Photo: supplied

Monday, 27 May 2024. The passing of esteemed cardiologist Dr Surendra Singh (11 April 1955 – 16 May 2024) at the age of 69 after a short illness is a tremendous loss to healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal, the communities he served and everyone who knew him.

“We wish to express our sincere condolences to Dr Singh’s wife, Professor Shanta, and his children Rajiv, Ameet and Rhea,” said Netcare uMhlanga Hospital general manager Wendy Beato.

“We mourn the passing of an exceptional healthcare professional and a man of stature. Dr Singh was highly respected and much loved by his colleagues, patients and the staff and management of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, where he has practised for several years.

“Dr Singh will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him,” she says.

After qualifying as a cardiologist in 1990, Dr Singh embarked on a journey during which he harnessed the power of his knowledge to heal others. Known for this brilliance both as a man and a doctor, he possessed a rare combination of exceptional expertise, humility and deep caring.

“Dr Singh’s dedication to his patients was evident throughout his career, and he continued to provide much valued service at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital until he became ill. His passing leaves a deep void for all who knew him and the countless patients whose lives he touched throughout his career.

“Dr Singh’s legacy as a caring healthcare provider and respected cardiologist will endure. Through his considerable dedication and expertise, he improved and saved lives while inspiring a new generation of healthcare professionals. His passion for healing and deep commitment to his patients will be forever remembered. Although his time with us was cut short, the impact of his life’s work will continue to be felt for many years to come,” Beato concluded.