Platinum Health Medical Scheme recognises that empowering local clinics creates healthier communities, ensures a stable workforce and provides pathways into the healthcare profession for youth.
Mining plays a vital role in sustaining households and strengthening local economies across South Africa, particularly in rural communities. Ensuring accessible and affordable, high-quality healthcare in these areas is essential to supporting the health and wellbeing of mining families, addressing occupational, environmental and mental health needs, and protecting the long-term vitality of the workforce. Strong rural healthcare systems form the bedrock of resilient communities, enabling sustainable socioeconomic development that endures well beyond the life of the mines.
Understanding this, Platinum Health Medical Scheme actively hires and develops doctors, nurses and specialists from surrounding towns to staff the local clinics near mining operations. This approach not only recognises the value of ‘homegrown’ talent in delivering culturally sensitive and trusted care, it also creates pathways for young people in rural communities to enter the healthcare profession.
The Scheme further provides support for such talent through mentorship and continuous medical education programmes, support structures such as peer networks, work-life balance and job security, as well initiatives for women in healthcare and leadership within our clinics.
Dr Gwendoline Ramatlo, Business Unit Manager at Platinum Health Medical Centre in Rustenburg, notes that since joining Platinum Health in February 2011, the organisation has played a central role in her growth, supporting her education from university.
“The Scheme recognised my leadership potential early and provided support to nurture it. Through training, exposure to different aspects of healthcare management, and guidance from senior professionals, I’ve been able to develop into a confident healthcare provider who understands both patient care and the unique needs of the mining community,” she says.
Meanwhile, Senior Professional Nurse, Nthabiseng Diphikwe, adds that the Scheme has supported her professionally in several meaningful ways.
“Firstly, Platinum Health ‘took me from the streets’, training me from auxiliary to professional nurse. I am who I am today because of Platinum Health, having been promoted to senior professional nurse last year. Thanks to all the training, clinical updates and competency-based skills programmes provided, my clinical decision-making skills have been strengthened, improving the quality of care I provide to my patients.”
Building strong patient trust
Asked about some of the unique benefits of working in a clinic serving her own community, she explains that the key issue is that it ensures a much stronger patient-nurse trust.
“Patients feel more comfortable being assisted by people who understand their language and background. This makes them more open and honest allowing us to have a meaningful and trustworthy connection, while at the same time giving back to the community that raised us,” adds Diphikwe.
Dr Ramatlo indicates that for her, understanding the local culture and challenges has helped her build strong patient trust, and deliver patient-centred care.
“I’ve been privileged to contribute to community outreach programmes, particularly in TB and HIV initiatives, where we achieved significant milestones. These included a decline in TB infection rates, and achieving the UNAIDS programme’s target of aiming for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART to achieve viral suppression.”
The mining environment does come with complex health challenges, she continues, including chronic and respiratory conditions, but Platinum Health provides the resources and support needed to manage them effectively.
“Patients appreciate being treated by professionals who understand their dynamics. This reassures them, strengthens communication, and, ultimately, improves health outcomes,” she states.
Sister Diphikwe agrees, noting that the Scheme reinforces ethical standards, confidentiality policies and professional conduct guidelines, helping ensure that every patient receives fair, consistent, and respectful care.
So then, how do patients respond knowing they are being treated by professionals from their own area?
Dr Ramatlo says that serving this community through Platinum Health has been a rewarding and meaningful journey: “It has demonstrated to me first-hand how accessible and compassionate healthcare is able to truly transform lives.”
For Sister Diphikwe, it creates a ‘domino effect’: “When you are treated by someone from your own community, it leads to increased trust between patient and healthcare provider, which leads to better communication, which in turn leads to better diagnosis and treatment,” she concludes.
Technology that connects care to communities
A critical part of both healthcare services and community involvement lies in ensuring effective connectivity for facilities and members. To this end, Platinum Health Medical Scheme has implemented low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity at its critical healthcare facilities, to address long-standing infrastructure connectivity challenges in remote mining regions.
“LEO technology allows our clinicians to access patient records, update files, and provide the treatment in real time, without delay or disruption. It also supports digital engagement, enabling members visiting our facilities to access free guest Wi-Fi to communicate with family or download the Platinum Health mobile app. This enables members to access their digital membership cards, view benefits and interact with their health records,” says Quantin van Rensburg, CIO of Platinum Health.
Using technology in this manner empowers the healthcare systems of historically marginalised communities and has a multitude of positive community and economic development benefits. Clinic staff are viewed as visible role models in mining towns; local economies are stimulated through stable employment; and community trust and better health outcomes are encouraged. The ripple effects of employing local healthcare staff include social cohesion, local economic growth and role modelling for the youth.
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