Why rehabilitation is a core pillar of managing occupational injuries and improving wellness and healthcare outcomes for workers

The new dawn of managing occupational injuries as prescribed in the recently enacted Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) Amendment Act 10 of 2022 puts at the forefront the need to rehabilitate injured workers.

This ensures that their potential for reintegration into the world of work is maximised. Rand Mutual Assurance argues that rehabilitation must move from the margins to the centre of national workforce health strategies.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 25th Annual Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) Conference, which took place in Cape Town from 4–8 July, Kyle Fredericks, Managing Executive: Social Insurance at RMA, emphasised that rehabilitation, reintegration and return to work were not simply clinical services, but strategic enablers of economic resilience, worker wellbeing and long-term productivity.

“Rehabilitation in the healthcare value chain has historically been treated as a downstream intervention – something that happens after an injury, after a claim, after a disruption. But the evidence is clear that rehabilitation is most effective when it is prioritised, integrated and supported from the very beginning of the occupational healthcare journey,” says Fredericks.

Rehabilitation as a driver of workforce resilience
South Africa’s labour market is undergoing rapid transformation, with new technologies, new models of employment and shifting workforce demographics reshaping how people work and the pressures they face. In this environment, the cost of prolonged recovery, delayed treatment and fragmented care pathways is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

“A resilient workforce can recover quickly, safely and sustainably from injury or illness. Rehabilitation is the engine of that resilience. It restores function, supports reintegration and protects workers from long term disability. When rehabilitation is integrated, the entire healthcare ecosystem strengthened,” notes Fredericks.

RMA’s position reflects a growing global consensus that rehabilitation is not an optional add on, but a core pillar of modern occupational healthcare. Countries that invest in structured rehabilitation programmes consistently report improved recovery outcomes, reduced compensation costs and higher return to work rates.

The consequences of fragmented rehabilitation pathways
Despite its importance, rehabilitation in South Africa remains unevenly prioritised across sectors. Workers often face delays in accessing appropriate care, limited coordination between healthcare providers and insufficient support for community or work reintegration. These gaps prolong recovery, increase the risk of complications and reduce the likelihood of successful return to work.

“Fragmentation is one of the biggest barriers to effective rehabilitation. When clinicians, therapists, employers, administrators and social insurers operate in isolation, workers fall through the cracks. Rehabilitation must be part of a connected ecosystem – one where every stakeholder understands their role in supporting recovery,” explains Fredericks.

Fredericks adds that strengthening rehabilitation requires more than clinical expertise; it requires collaboration, shared standards and a commitment to worker centred care. “Rehabilitation is a team effort. It succeeds when everyone is aligned around the same goal, which is restoring the worker to full participation in life and work.”

A call for stronger partnerships with healthcare professionals (and beyond)
RMA is using the BHF Conference as a platform to call for deeper collaboration with healthcare practitioners, rehabilitation specialists and allied health professionals. The organisation believes that building a robust rehabilitation ecosystem depends on strong clinical partnerships and shared ambition.

“We want healthcare professionals to understand our commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration. We are scaling our rehabilitation function significantly, and we are inviting clinicians, therapists and specialists to partner with us and recognise community-based mechanisms that make reintegration possible” says Fredericks.

“Together, we can build a rehabilitation ecosystem that is responsive, evidence based, and centred on the needs of workers.”

Fredericks points out that rehabilitation must be recognised as a specialised discipline that requires dedicated investment, continuous learning and integrated care pathways. “Rehabilitation is not a single event; it is a journey. And that journey must be supported by skilled professionals who understand the complexities of recovery”

Rehabilitation and the future of occupational healthcare
RMA’s advocacy for rehabilitation is part of a broader shift in the sector, which is seeing a move from reactive compensation models to proactive, integrated healthcare ecosystems. This evolution recognises that worker wellbeing cannot be achieved through compensation alone. It requires prevention, early intervention, coordinated care and structured rehabilitation.

“The future of occupational healthcare is holistic. It begins with prevention, continues through injury management and culminates in rehabilitation and return to work. Rehabilitation is the bridge between injury and recovery – without it, the system cannot deliver the outcomes workers deserve,” says Fredericks.

Fredericks adds that rehabilitation also plays a critical role in strengthening national productivity. “Healthy workers build healthy industries. When rehabilitation is strong, businesses benefit from reduced downtime, improved morale and greater long term stability.”