Pioneering partners improve healthcare access

Metropolitan Health and the Alpha Pharm National Health Network have joined forces to put affordable preventative and primary healthcare within the reach of many more South Africans. The first Metropolitan Health Alpha Pharm primary healthcare clinic open

With an extensive urban and rural footprint, 236 pharmacies have been earmarked for clinic locations. The plan is to have 56 rebranded, operational clinics in place by the end of 2013.

This is the first time Metropolitan Health is investing directly in preventative and primary healthcare – the cornerstone of the proposed NHI scheme.

Blum Khan, CEO of Metropolitan Health, said, “Our intention is to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to many more South Africans – those with medical scheme coverage and those without. This venture will help alleviate the burden on state facilities, promote preventive health behaviour and enhance compliance with curative care plans.” Khan believes the initiative aligns very well with government’s strategy. He also indicated that many Metropolitan Health medical scheme clients are focusing more on primary care and preventative benefits, so the initiative dovetails perfectly with this trend.

Attending the launch of the first clinic was Mr Theuns Botha, Minister of Health for the Western Cape. Minister Botha is very supportive of the initiative, and indicated that growing the health economy through partnerships with the private sector is essential in the transformation of South African healthcare. According to the Minister, “Innovative partnerships, such as the Metropolitan Health Alpha Pharm initiative, leverage the talent of the private sector for all South African citizens.”

As South African healthcare reform moves forward and the environment evolves to greater levels of efficacy, it is becoming abundantly clear that innovative private public partnerships have the potential to offer a sustainable, practical way to significantly expand the reach of quality healthcare to more South Africans. Ventures such as the Metropolitan Health Alpha Pharm initiative can make a significant contribution towards improving the health outcomes of many South Africans.