Latest news with #Netcare
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Bara hospital: The good, bad and ugly
The hard reality of a large state hospital and what it offered came as a sharp corrective. I was shortly to be transported from my bed in a very public – and noisy – ward onto a gurney and thence to the theatre. There, a growing tumour was to be removed from my bladder. For I was in Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto. While awaiting my imminent hour of reckoning in theatre, I contemplated my brief journey to that moment. It had all started a little over eight weeks previously when I had been incarcerated in a Netcare hospital seeking relief from a burgeoning sarcoma adjacent to my chest wall. This malevolent growth had bloomed in a few short weeks, inducing, in the latter stages, chattering cold followed by blazing fevers on a daily basis. And with an infection count of 200 – normal is zero – I was swiftly whisked into the high care ward of the hospital. There were 14 beds curtained off, each with a TV screen and a locker for the few belongings. Nurses, perhaps one for every two patients, clean towels, a green hospital gown into which you were expected to change and wear and two fully equipped bathrooms, plus several washing stations with soap dispensers. And as expected, spotlessly clean. As for the meals, they are definitely edible, top boarding school stuff. Ultrasound and MRI scans, chest X-rays and all other preparatory procedures were conducted swiftly and efficaciously. ALSO READ: 'I could die before surgery': Cancer patient lost in Gauteng hospitals backlog Your nurse could be summoned by the simple act of pressing a button, and lo! She manifested. Once the operation was concluded, a visiting physio forced one to get out of bed and move around. All of the above I recalled in a haze, which blurred into my arrival at Bara. A total of 20 hours patiently queuing with a few hundred others over two days seeking admission, which, once granted, involved my finding my way from urology to ECGs and X-rays, through pharmacy and into accident and emergency, where I was informed my transport to a faraway ward could be accessed. Carrying just a small canvas bag containing basic toiletries and a few snacks, I was squeezed into an already overloaded minibus and careened off through the vast confusion of Bara. Finally, I arrived at a vast modern complex built to accommodate large numbers of Covid-19 patients, which never happened. I set about finding my ward. Echoing long, empty corridors and passing several empty or half-empty wards, I finally arrived. Large cubicles simply furnished… my own was equipped with a bed, a thin blanket and a thinner pillow encased in a thick plastic covering. There were no lights behind the beds, allowing one to read. And there was a small locker. Nothing to change into, no gowns provided, the good-natured nurses smiled apologetically. There were two large lavatories cum shower rooms, both spotless. But, sadly, no soap or towels. More smiling apologies. ALSO READ: Gauteng hospitals get major tech overhaul to slash scan backlogs The toilet bowls are clean, but they are devoid of seats. The harsh reality of a large state hospital and its offerings came as a sharp corrective. The next day, I was transferred back into the main hospital building – the surgical ward where patients due for imminent surgery were bedded. This was bedlam compared to the calm, quiet half-empty ward in which I had spent the previous night. Patients head to toe in a corridor, in which I was shown my bed. Of privacy in a cubicle, there was none, of lockers, there were none. Nor were there blankets on my bed, so two large coats were found and thrown over me. Nor was I offered anything to wear. The following morning I was handed a pair of hospital pyjamas unnervingly similar to concentration camp uniforms and, of course, forbidden any food I nervously awaited the inevitable. I had already received visits from the young anaesthetist and one of the surgical team members, who had done their best to calm my fluttering nerves. Finally, the moment of reckoning. A porter arrived with the gurney, I climbed on, nerves jangling uncontrollably and then, as we moved, unbelievably and unexpectedly, the sound of singing. Had I died and gone to heaven? It was the Lord's prayer, voices exquisitely harmonised. Around the corner in the main ward, they stood – a small shimmering complement of young women who sang. All fear evaporated as I was wheeled at speed to the anteroom outside the theatre, my anxieties utterly stilled. In that lucid calm, I knew I was safe. NOW READ: Alarm raised over 'R1.7bn fire safety gap' at Charlotte Maxeke hospital
TimesLIVE
14-06-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Gowns, chairs and school shoes donated by health groups bring comfort to little ones
Bringing comfort closer for patients, two healthcare companies have joined forces in support of Bertha Gxowa Hospital, a Gauteng provincial facility. Custom-made chairs were supplied by Universal Care to help meet the need for comfortable seating in specific waiting areas around the Germiston hospital while 1,755 pairs of hospital pyjamas, nightdresses and gowns for patients ranging from the ages of one to 12 years were provided by Performance Health. 'Our ongoing relationship with state healthcare facilities such as Bertha Gxowa Hospital enables us to respond swiftly to critical needs, from antimicrobial and sporicidal curtains to these essential comfort items,' said Dr Nono Ledwaba-Mweli, medical director of Universal Care. 'This collaboration is vital not only for immediate improvements but also for building a sustainable healthcare system where patient dignity and comfort are prioritised alongside clinical care.' Dr Mandisa Maholwana, MD at Performance Health, said: 'Patient comfort plays a crucial role in recovery and morale. We remain committed to supporting healthcare facilities wherever possible.' On Friday, 700 pairs of shoes were handed over to children at a rural school in Magaliesburg. The event was to acknowledge the milestone of 300,000 pairs of school shoes donated by the 'My Walk Made With Soul' NPO since its inception in 2020 as an upcycling collaboration between Netcare and Adcock Ingram Critical Care. The shoes are made from recycled materials from Adcock Ingram's Critical Care manufacturing facility, which produces drip bags and tubing from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and offcuts from participating Netcare hospitals in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Netcare Ltd (STU:NH7) (H1 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Financial Performance Amidst ...
Revenue: Increased by 5.3% to ZAR12.7 billion. EBITDA: Grew by 8.3% to ZAR2.3 billion. EBITDA Margin: Improved by 50 basis points to 18.5%. Adjusted Headline Earnings Per Share (HEPS): Rose by 20% to ZAR58.08. Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio: Strengthened from 1.3 times to 1.2 times. Interim Dividend: Declared at ZAR0.36 per share, representing 61.2% of adjusted HEPS. Operating Profit: Increased by 10.7% to almost ZAR1.7 billion. Profit Before Tax: Increased by 15.4% to ZAR1,154 million. Profit After Tax: Improved by 15.4% to ZAR826 million. Total Patient Days: Grew by 1.1%. Hospital Revenue: Grew by 5.5% to ZAR12.3 billion. Primary Care Division Revenue: Remained flat at ZAR337 million. CapEx Spend: ZAR434 million, with ZAR54 million on expansionary projects. Share Buyback Program: Invested over ZAR1.6 billion to repurchase 130.7 million shares. Cash Balances: ZAR1.3 billion with committed but undrawn debt facilities of ZAR1.1 billion. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with STU:NH7. Release Date: May 19, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Netcare Ltd (STU:NH7) reported a 5.3% increase in revenue to ZAR12.7 billion, demonstrating strong financial performance. EBITDA grew by 8.3% to ZAR2.3 billion, with an improved EBITDA margin of 18.5%, indicating effective cost management and operational efficiency. The company returned ZAR984 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, a significant increase from the previous year. Netcare Ltd (STU:NH7) has made substantial progress in its strategic initiatives, particularly in digitization and data-driven healthcare, enhancing clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. The company maintained a strong financial position with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.2 times, reflecting conservative financial management. The primary care division experienced flat revenue growth, with a decline in same-store medical and dental patient visits by 0.9%. Mental health occupancies declined slightly due to temporary unavailability of beds for refurbishment, impacting capacity. The company faces challenges from a stagnant medical scheme population and rising healthcare costs driven by aging and disease burden. Load shedding and increased electricity tariffs have offset some operational cost savings, impacting overall expenses. Legal challenges and uncertainties surrounding the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act in South Africa present potential risks to the healthcare sector. Q: Can you provide an overview of Netcare's financial performance for the first half of 2025? A: Richard Friedland, Group CEO, highlighted that despite challenging conditions, Netcare achieved strong operational and financial performance. Revenue rose by 5.3% to ZAR12.7 billion, and EBITDA increased by 8.3% to ZAR2.3 billion. The EBITDA margin improved by 50 basis points to 18.5%, and adjusted headline earnings per share rose by 20% to ZAR58.08. The company returned ZAR984 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Q: How has Netcare's hospital and emergency services segment performed? A: Richard Friedland noted steady growth in acute patient days, with a 1.1% increase for the first half of 2025. Acute hospital occupancies improved to 63.1%, while mental health occupancies slightly declined to 68.2%. Revenue for this division grew by 5.5% to ZAR12.3 billion, with EBITDA growth of 8.1% to ZAR2.3 billion. Q: What strategic initiatives is Netcare focusing on? A: Richard Friedland explained that Netcare's strategy is a 10-year journey focusing on customer centricity, digitization, and data. The first phase, "digitally enabled," is complete, and the company is now in the second phase, "data-driven," focusing on clinical efficiency. The third phase, "person-centered health and care," aims to enhance patient engagement and retention. Q: How is Netcare addressing environmental sustainability? A: Richard Friedland stated that Netcare is on track to achieve its 2030 sustainability goals, including reducing Scope 2 emissions to zero and achieving 100% renewable energy utilization. The company is piloting innovative projects like an aerobic digestion plant to convert food waste into energy. Q: What is Netcare's guidance for the remainder of the 2025 financial year? A: Richard Friedland confirmed that guidance remains unchanged, with expected total patient day growth of 0.8% to 1.3% and group revenue growth of 5% to 6%. The company plans to spend ZAR1.5 billion on CapEx and expects EBITDA margin improvements from operational efficiencies. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
eNCA
19-05-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Netcare reports rise in revenue
JOHANNESBURG - The Netcare Group has delivered a solid set of interim results despite a constrained and competitive healthcare operating environment. READ: City of Joburg squares up with Milpark Hospital over disputed R35m debt The company also scored healthy profits in 2024 despite a decline in patient days and high inflation related to wages and medical consumables. The CEO of Netcare Dr Richard Friedland discussed the results with eNCA.
