Navigating business challenges with lean teams

Josua Joubert

Holistic healthcare can be a lifeline for SME strength

For many small businesses adeptly navigating obstacles, such as a lack of finance, skills shortages and access to talent while traversing anything from complying with regulations to technology constraints, is the daily norm.

It is against this backdrop that Josua Joubert, chief executive and principal officer of CompCare Medical Scheme, has raised the need for medical schemes to become a crucial pillar of support for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure that the health and wellbeing of employees is thoroughly safeguarded.

“For these businesses that are off the ground but still very much trying to gain altitude, prolonged employee downtime is simply not an option, underscoring the pressing need for accessible, well rounded healthcare support. At CompCare, we recognise this predicament and have dedicated ourselves to championing the cause of holistic healthcare access for small businesses,” he says.

This message will resonate at The Business Show, a much-anticipated event hosted by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) that will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 6 and 7 September. “As small businesses grapple with cash constraints and rely on lean teams, efficiency and optimised performance become non-negotiable,” asserts Joubert.

“The intersection of rising living costs and evolving healthcare regulations, particularly for small businesses, poses unique challenges. With limited options available and the promise of NHI still far off in the distance, effective yet affordable solutions must be sought in the here and now.

“We acknowledge the significance of addressing this and many other challenges for SMEs head-on while advocating for the essential role of medical schemes in supporting small businesses to not only weather storms but thrive in an ever-evolving landscape,” he says.

Joubert adds that CompCare’s unwavering commitment to holistic healthcare stems from its belief that small businesses deserve more than just basic healthcare coverage.

“Usage trends observed among our member base indicate a rising demand for comprehensive healthcare solutions that cater to multiple aspects of well-being,” he notes.

According to Joubert, the need for such support is particularly pronounced in three key areas:

• Habitual wellness optimisation
Wellness is not a one-time endeavour but a journey. Providing access to accredited biokineticists and dieticians allows members to tailor personalised exercise and nutrition plans. Regular check-ins and compliance feedback sessions ensure that these healthy habits endure, leading to a heightened organisational culture of wellness from the outset. In recognition of the importance of mental health, a 24-hour professional mental health line provides vital support during challenging times, another pressing area of growing need across the spectrum of businesses, here and globally.

• Enhancing overall family health
Understanding that family health is a priority for the employees of smaller businesses who are investing considerable time in organisational growth, the medical scheme of choice should offer more than basic medical coverage. From childhood immunisations and baby wellness visits to school readiness assessments and free GP visits for young children, a trustworthy healthcare partner will offer benefits that empower families to stay on top of their wellbeing in busy and often demanding periods of life.

• Reliable coverage in uncertain times
Small businesses seek stability and reliability in their healthcare coverage, which must include a commitment to providing cover that can be counted on for complex diagnoses and unforeseen in-hospital treatments. This means members can have peace of mind knowing that their chosen medical scheme boasts a proven track record, ample reserves, and exceptional service levels to support them throughout their healthcare journey.

“In a landscape fraught with uncertainties, we remain steadfast in our conviction that medical schemes do not only exist to provide access to quality healthcare but also to promote lifelong wellness and build stronger teams,” concludes Joubert.