New Mpathy clinic model to provide one million patients with Low-Fee Private Primary Healthcare

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Sept. 11, 2023 - PRLog -- A township development organisation is spearheading access to private healthcare for low-income households by providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality primary healthcare services for struggling South Africans.

Township Fleva, a social enterprise organisation, funding and running township development programs that solve South Africa's (SA's) biggest problems; poverty; unemployment; and inequality, today announced the opening of its first Mpathy Clinic in Gugulethu, Cape Town with its next clinics opening imminently in Soweto and Thembia, Gauteng; and Kamhlushwa, Mpumalanga.

The Mpathy Clinic model aims to provide access to private primary healthcare in SA. Township Fleva plans to establish a network of at least 70 clinics nationwide over the next five years, galvanising entrepreneurship while creating sustainable, low-fee private clinics.

Approximately 84% of SA's population is reliant on public healthcare. Despite the constitutional guarantee of access to high-quality healthcare, thousands of patients visit primary healthcare clinics across the country daily, only to be turned away after enduring lengthy wait times. If they are treated, the quality of care is often not sufficient.

With only a minority of the population able to afford the exorbitant costs of private healthcare, the burden on the national healthcare system is having significant consequences for the country and its citizens.

"While cash-strapped patients aren't able to afford private healthcare, approximately 10 million people in the country are able to afford it at a lower cost. Our model aims to bridge this gap, enabling access to convenient and affordable private primary healthcare services," says Godfrey Katsande, CFO at Township Fleva.

Patients visiting private clinics currently pay anything ranging from R350 to well over R1000 for a single consultation, the Mpathy offering will provide top-notch private primary healthcare between R100 and R300 per consultation.

Rapidly scaling these clinics across the country, Township Fleva will provide patients with access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including primary care, diagnostics, preventive care, and chronic disease management.

Nursepreneurs to boost entrepreneurship and township economies.

The implementation of Township Fleva's Nursepreneur programme plans to propel entrepreneurship opportunities for nurse-led Mpathy clinics nationwide, providing an opportunity for nurses to become clinic owners.

Bolstered by the reliable backing of Township Fleva, Nursepreneurs will be provided access the infrastructure, equipment, and shared services across key business functions such as Marketing; HR; IT; Procurement; Bookkeeping and Legal support.

"By equipping nurses with the necessary tools, training, and support, we aim to empower them to become successful entrepreneurs and change-agents who can provide comprehensive care to patients while driving economic growth," adds Katsande.

Adopting innovative technologies and a patient-centric approach, the Mpathy Clinic Model and Nursepreneur programme combined create an ecosystem that benefits patients, healthcare professionals and township economies across the country.