October 16, 2024

Transformation initiatives at the forefront of reshaping SA’s healthcare sector

Diverse and inclusive workplaces offer a rich environment for innovation, creativity and problem-solving. In South Africa, the call for more diversity and inclusion also aligns with the national imperative of transformation as we strive as a nation to foster representative working environments built on the principles of equality and fairness.

Championed by leaders like Gale Shabangu, chief transformation officer, Mediclinic Southern Africa has put transformation at the heart of its operations. The result is tangible, long-lasting impact in the lives of employees, patients and industry stakeholders.

Bringing her unique outlook to this discussion, Shabangu says that: “Transformation is not about ticking compliance boxes and improving BBBEE scorecards (even though it helps to track ourselves); it is a necessary driving force behind our growth and sustainable development as a business. We continue to make a meaningful impact across our business by demonstrating our commitment to change through our people, the humans of Mediclinic.”

Documented progress toward real change

Shabangu joined the group in 2019. Within her current role, she has become a leading voice in advocating for change at an executive level, driving the agenda for a more transformed local healthcare sector.

Her perspective is informed by an extensive amount of experience, working as a BBBEE (broad-based black economic empowerment), employment equity, human resources and diversity & inclusion lead at some of the country’s leading corporate names including Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa and Accenture South Africa.

One of Shabangu’s latest vehicles for driving awareness and showcasing change was the launch of Mediclinic’s Transformation Publication in 2022. Now in its third year of release, the publication is geared toward providing the public, industry role-players and Mediclinic’s broad network of stakeholders with an outline of the organisation’s steady progress in terms of diversity and inclusion.

Reflecting her sentiment that “transformation is not one thing; it’s everything”, this year’s publication casts the net wide, touching on issues and initiatives that illustrate the value of immersive change, rather than surface-level shifts.

As Shabangu puts it: “real transformation happens from within people and organisations – it requires a shift in perspective which, in turn, supports a working environment in which our differences are celebrated and leveraged. When we as employees are transformed in the way we think and relate to each other, we succeed in building a service offering that truly caters for everyone within the business as well as those we care for.”

Training for transformation

Shabangu is supported by an enthusiastic team who includes what she refers to as several “powerhouses”, which extend across the group, fully endorsed and supported by exco and leadership, such as procurement.

Empowerment for next-gen healthcare leaders

Diversity is also about embracing and showcasing the unique abilities of young healthcare professionals, and Mediclinic is deeply invested in doing so. Mediclinic’s Young Talent programme is a platform that gives the organisation’s young leaders a voice and a means by which to share their insights and demonstrate their skillsets.

The programme is geared toward creating awareness about different career paths, recognising talent that is actively contributing to the organisation’s success, as well as identifying the mentorship and professional opportunities that exist within the group.

Through the platform, young leaders can share their passion for delivering quality care through networking and engaging with management to instil Mediclinic’s values. These young, dynamic voices are crucial to creating a working environment that is collaborative and representative.

Together with this, the Young Talent podcast series plays an important role in fostering a sense of community and belonging within Mediclinic.

Breaking down communication barriers

Another element of transformation involves expanding access to services that extends to those with disabilities, including patients with speech and hearing impairments. For a hearing person, when needing a haircut or doctor’s appointment, all it requires is a simple phone call. For the speech- or hearing-impaired, it’s not quite as easy – which is why ER24 joined forces with Vodacom to establish the National Relay Service (NRS).

ER24 is part of Mediclinic and currently operates from 59 bases throughout South Africa, providing quality emergency response and pre-hospital care services, and supporting public and private hospitals.

Using the NRS, speech- and hearing-impaired people can reach the ER24’s emergency contact centre via a video call and communicate with agents who are specialists in South African Sign Language. These agents then interpret the information provided, pass it onto the appropriate service provider and convey the answer back to the caller using sign language.

The NRS currently facilitates the day-to-day needs of patients (such as booking a dentist appointment), but also handles critical medical emergencies – providing this segment of the community with a vital lifeline.

Toward gender equity in healthcare

Mediclinic’s Women Advancement Network (WAN) – a gender-focused employee resource group, also stands out as a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to transformation. The network is aimed at welcoming women’s voices to important discussions on the role of positive working cultures in building teams that thrive individually and as a collective.

Launched in 2023, the WAN community now includes both female and male members who have expressed their interest in promoting the female agenda as well as ongoing mentorship opportunities, professional development and knowledge and skills transfer for women in the organisation.

Speaking on these and the other pioneering initiatives covered in the latest Transformation Publication, Shabangu says: “I’m proud to say Mediclinic’s culture is evolving because of the people who drive our transformation initiatives. To those who serve the clients who come to us in their moments of need I say: thank you, colleagues.”

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