By Scoop Communications
The possibility of owning a clinic offering top-notch private primary healthcare services never crossed the mind of Gugu Khumalo, an Umlazi community leader who lost her early childhood centre in the 2021 July riots.
But on Thursday, Khumalo became South Africa’s newest nursepreneur when Rhiza Holdings opened KwaZulu-Natal's first Mpathy Clinic in the Umlazi township, south of Durban.
Mpathy Clinics, powered by global pharmaceutical company Viatris and the Contribute Foundation, enable and empower women to eventually own the healthcare facility, which provides accessible, advanced and quality private primary healthcare at affordable rates to poor communities.
Services are a fraction of the cost of seeing a private doctor, with a consultation ranging between R100 and R300.
Providing services in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Free State, Rhiza Holdings has always advocated for public-private-partnerships that help community development efforts work more efficiently. This partnership is one of the ways the government is initiating working relationships with community organisations in impoverished areas to increase access to primary healthcare.
The organisation prides itself in creating patient experiences which offer more satisfaction and value for money. Its healthcare programs are intended to service the specific needs of the communities they exist in, and as such the NPO has built a strong relationship with its communities as well as the state bodies it works with in those areas.
The Umlazi facility is the 9th Mpathy Clinic to open in South Africa and Khumalo is currently the only nursepreneur, who is not a medical professional.
But her passion to help her community is what led her to the healthcare path.
“I lost everything during the looting in 2021. The odds were against us, and I had to ask myself if I should just give up or keep trying. But I knew I couldn’t give up. I went back to the drawing board and started to seek help. I wrote proposals and realised that my wish for bringing healthcare to the community could be realised.”
“A lot of people in Umlazi are defaulting on taking their medication because the nearest public clinic is too far. We knew we needed to do something. When the clinic opens its doors, I know that patients will be lining up to seek medical care,” Khumalo said.
The clinic boasts the latest in primary healthcare technology including a 3D ultrasound machine and telemedicine services allowing patients to now be able to consult a doctor five days a week, whereas public facilities typically only provide access to a General Practitioner (GP) on certain days of the week.
Services are tailored to the requirements of the community, such as emergency services, chronic disease management, child health and immunizations, reproductive health, HCT (HIV Counselling, Testing, ARVs), and other services.
Rhiza Holdings healthcare manager Lerato Seheri said opening an Mpathy Clinic during Women’s Month was significant as the aim of the nursepreneur project was to empower women.
“Here's how the model operates: We secure funding to establish a fully equipped clinic, covering all medical equipment and supplies. The clinic is expected to break even within 18 months. After breaking even, the nurse repays the loan interest-free over the next five to seven years. Once the repayment is complete, the nurse, in this case Gugu Khumalo, owns the clinic. This is a franchise model that includes comprehensive support throughout the process.”
Seheri, who leads a team compromising of only women, said the model empowers women in communities and creates jobs while providing affordable healthcare.
“Women empowerment is crucial for advancing healthcare in our communities,” she said.
In the last two months, Mpathy Clinics were also opened in Pretoria North, Gauteng and Marikana in the North West.
“We collaborate with the Department of Health to identify areas with the greatest need. The goal of the clinic is to alleviate pressure on the department by services underserved communities. In consultation, we target areas like Umlazi, where the demand for services is particularly high,” said Seheri.
According to the recent General Household Survey Report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), seven out of ten South Africans are largely dependent on public healthcare.
Rhiza Holdings plans to establish a network of at least 70 clinics nationwide over the next five years.
Visit https://rhizaholdings.africa/ to find out more.
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