Latest news with #NetcareAkeso
TimesLIVE
15 hours ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Young doctors and dentists offered free medical aid cover for a year
Young doctors and dentists making the tough transition from study to practice are eligible for 12 months of free medical aid cover from Profmed. The medical scheme said eligible candidates must be under the age of 30, must have completed community service in the past two years and are either unemployed or have found work within the previous six months. The initiative is linked to finDR, a digital platform launched by Profmed to connect newly qualified medical professionals with job placements across the country as locums and in permanent positions. More than 800 qualified doctors are on the platform. 'This isn't only about benefits,' said Profmed CEO Craig Comrie. 'It's about ensuring young professionals don't fall through the cracks. 'We've heard from far too many doctors who, after years of study and community service, are left without work, income or the ability to access private health care. That's unacceptable.' This comes amid concerns about the pressure young doctors work under, prompting a call for healthcare professionals to recognise the risk of burnout and depression by Dr Bavi Vythilingum, a psychiatrist practising at a Netcare Akeso clinic in Kenilworth, Cape Town. 'It is deeply concerning that at least 50% to 60% of healthcare professionals will experience depression at some point during their working lives. Junior doctors are particularly vulnerable, and their risk for depression and burnout seems to be increasing. 'One of the factors that contributes to burnout is work overload as doctors are expected to do more and more within the same amount of time. 'Beyond patient consultations, they face a growing mountain of paperwork, from medical aid forms and insurance requirements to documentation and providing clinical feedback on patients with complex medical needs.' Vythilingum said doctors are expected to never fall ill physically and with their mental health. 'We are expected to keep going, no matter what. This means many doctors don't seek mental health care when they need it, often because they are afraid this reflects negatively on their competence or ability to practice. 'Tragically, doctors often wait until they can't cope before seeking mental healthcare, and by then it becomes more difficult for us to help, where earlier intervention could have prevented such a serious decline that it may affect all areas of their lives. 'Like their patients, doctors must feel empowered to seek help early, whether through confidential counselling, peer support groups or mental health resources tailored to healthcare professionals.' Netcare invited South Africans to join an international awareness movement aimed at increasing support for mental health for medical professionals. 'Everyone is encouraged to wear colourful, mismatched or otherwise attention-grabbing socks to mark Crazy Socks 4 Docs on the first Friday in June every year,' the hospital group said.
The Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Netcare invests in expanding mental health facilities
Private hospital group Netcare will build a new mental health care facility in Pretoria as the demand for the service continues to grow. 'In response to the increasing need for mental health support in the broader Tshwane region, the group will be commissioning the new Netcare Akeso Montana facility (88 beds) in October 2026. Furthermore, the Netcare Akeso Alberlito facility (80 beds) is scheduled to open its doors in March 2027, strengthening the group's national footprint and reinforcing its dedication to meeting the mental health-care needs of communities across South Africa,' it said. It is also building a new Akeso hospital in Polokwane, which will have 87 beds. Netcare said demand for quality mental health-care services 'continues to grow and the group remains committed to expanding access and pursuing new opportunities in this vital space'. On Monday the company reported adjusted headline earnings per share increased by 20% to 58.8c for the six months to March and a 5.3% increase in total revenue to R12.6bn. The company declared an interim dividend of 36c per share. Total capital expenditure, including strategic projects, was R434m. Total capital expenditure for the 2025 full financial year is estimated at R1.5bn. The company has embarked on a digital strategy aimed at improving efficiencies and reshaping the way it delivers health and care. The current rollout phase will see the group developing capabilities in predictive analytics and have made significant progress, with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approving algorithm for the early detection of sepsis (blood stream infections) in ICU patients. 'This innovation enables earlier clinical interventions and meaningfully enhances patient care and outcomes. In addition, an advanced analytics platform has been deployed, equipping clinical teams with real-time, actionable insights. Beyond the substantial clinical and patient benefits, this capability positions the group to reduce the cost per clinical event, reduce morbidity and mortality rates and improve overall efficiency,' said CEO Dr Richard Friedman. The next phase of the digital transformation focuses on 'person-centred health and care' and is being rolled out over the next three to four years. 'This initiative will empower patients with direct access to their health records, enabling more meaningful engagement in their care journey and ensuring care delivery is deeply aligned with their individual needs and preferences,' he said. TimesLIVE
