Corporate social investment and Socio economic development

AfroCentric’s strategy on corporate social responsibility is to focus on socio-economic development and  revitalisation of the public healthcare sector in South Africa, with special focus on improving access to healthcare services to those that historically have not had access.

Find out more about Medscheme social development.

Transformation in the healthcare industry

Our vision, as AfroCentric Health is to provide sustainable access to healthcare, and we believe that this closely aligns with the government’s objectives of driving reforms in healthcare, as expressed in the Minister of Health’s 10 point plan on Health.  As such our CSI projects have a strong focus on healthcare initiatives that actively support and promote the objectives of this plan.

Some of the more recent investments aligned to these objectives include:

• Social Compact Forum and Public Health Enhancement Fund

  AfroCentric is a is a proud founder memberand contributor to the Public Health Enhancement Fund (PHEF) through of the Social Compact Forum (SCF), an initiative that was launched by the Minister of Health in 2012 to consolidate the provide a platform for private sector to work together with the Department of Health in successfully implementing transformative healthcare projects.

  The initiative also aims to maximise the impact of various initiatives and contributions made to by different public sector companies to the beneficiaries and avoid a fragmented approach that is not has proved to be less effective.

• Ukusebenza Research Facility
  AfroCentric has committed funding to assist with building the operational capacity of Ukusebenza Research Facility, an SMME operating in the Research sphere and works closely with reputable tertiary institutions to provide training opportunities to black students working towards achieving their  Masters and PHD qualification.  Our decision to invest in this initiative which focuses on research in the HIV/AIDS and Tubercolosis, was the alignment of the objectives of this project with those of the Public Health Enhancement Fund.
• Nursing colleges

  A shortage of suitably qualified nursing staff is one of the factors affecting the country’s ability to deliver quality healthcare services. AfroCentric identified an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the improvement of this situation by providing support to black-owned nursing colleges. This project also encompasses the refurbishment and equipping of the schools will resource that will allow these colleges to meet the requirements set by the government in terms of legitimacy but are also produce quality and well trained candidates that can will augment to the output produced by the government facilities. Khanyisa Nursing School.

  Ithemba Nursing Academy

  Future Nurses Nursing School.

• Medscheme Empowering Doctors (MEDs)
  This initiative assists recently qualified black doctors in setting up successful private practices, by offering financial assistance, training, coaching and mentoring in business and financial management aimed at ensuring that the practices are managed as growing businesses and are able to provided required services to the community they are based in.
• A Dare Woman’s Wellness Centre

  This women’s wellness centre operated by Dr Kgomotso Mogapi (who was a beneficiary of the Medscheme Empowering Doctors Programme) is situated in Mabopane, Tshwane. Dr Mogapi is passionate about women’s wellness and this is reflected in the practice’s emphasis on healthy living, general wellness, early detection through screenings and lifestyle advice to women from the township who usually do not have sufficient access to these services.

• Eluthandweni Maternity Clinic
  A successful partnership with the black women owned maternity clinic in Kathorus has resulted in this client providing much needed maternal and infant care services.  Our sponsorship in the form of providing equipment, business management training and mentoring,  as well as the hard work of the owner Sister Nonina Dube and her team of qualified staff, has resulted in the clinic’s reputation attracting clients from across the province and recognition by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.
• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital School

  The Charlotte Maxeke Hospital School caters for learners from Grades R to 12 who are admitted to or have to spend a significant part of their day in the hospital for treatment of serious illness. The school enables these learners to receive medical treatment without interrupting their education.

  AfroCentric Health has a long standing relationship with the school due to its fulfilment of education and provision of healthcare which has seen AfroCentric Health funding the complete refurbishment and equipping of the school, and sponsoring the installation of a custom designed playground all of which provides for a positive learning environment for for children with special needs due to their impaired immune systems.

• Revitalisation of Public Hospitals Programme
  In December 2013, AfroCentric Health donationed a new portable ultrasound unit for the maternity ward at Natalspruit Hospital. The unit was handed over at a ceremony at the hospital on 4 December 2013, which was attended by officials from the representatives of the Department of Health at District level as well as the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.
• Health and education of our young people
  Youth have a critical role in the future development and sustainability of the country’s economy. It is for this reason that AfroCentric Health also dedicates a significant portion of its SED budget to youth education and development.
• Mount Arthur School for Girls

  A significant monetary contribution to the the upgrading and refurbishment of the Mount Arthur School for girls in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape. The school, based in the more rural parts of the country was in a dilapidated state, underwent a refurbishment of the boarding facilities, provision of equipment and relevant education material. An official opening ceremony was held on 9 August 2013 by Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Maphisa Nqakula.

• The Step up Lets Lead project

  Medscheme is a major sponsor of the Step up Lets Lead project, a project that covers all eight provinces and which aims to inculcate a culture of personal leadership amongst the youth. The prize giving ceremony was held on 25 November 2013, and was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Enver Surty to honour the top 28 students from schools across the country who, despite coming from rural and predominantly disadvantaged families, confidently displayed the leadership qualities that have been summarised in the Step Up Let’s Lead project.

• Development Cycling Team

  Medscheme has established a development cycling team of eight promising young cyclists from Soweto. We offer these youngsters an opportunity to realise their dream of becoming cycling professionals at a national and international level.

  They participate in events recognised by the International Cycling Union and Cycling South Africa, where they are gaining valuable exposure and experience. Two team members have already signed contracts with leading professional cycling teams in South Africa.

• Employee Volunteerism

  The importance of employee in our community development programmes is seen as something that promotes employee pride in working for the company and allows the communities in which we operate to experience our employees generosity and caring. Employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and energy during and after working hours to approved projects.

• Mandela Days

  The annual Mandela Day for example offers an ideal opportunity for our employees to pay their respect to this icon of South Africa by giving their time and energy towards the development of the community.

• Sparrow Ministries

  Which provides for care and comfort to adults and children who have been infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, was a beneficiary of AfroCentric Health’s contributions in 2013. The ministry operates a hospice for the terminally ill and a children’s home for vulnerable children who have become homeless following the death of one or both of their parents.

  AfroCentric Health contributed computer equipment and a printer and our employees helped to set up the improved the study centre used by the children to do their homework, as part of the Nelson Mandela celebrations.