Express industry launches affordable health care service

Employees in the courier and express freight industry now have access to affordable health care and free medication. They will be attended to at clinics comparable with the best private health facilities in the country. That’s thanks to the launch by the South Africa Express Parcel Association (Saepa) of “Wellness Express,” an industry-specific, primary health care and preventive medical service. The initiative is in the line with government calls for low-income medical services. Health care is delivered through dedicated Wellness Express clinics in key centre, says Garry Marshall, Saepa chief executive. They employ their own doctors, nurses and administrative staff and use the latest high-tech equipment. Services and personnel are provided by iKhambi Care – a specialist health care company which is partnering Saepa in the initiative. Employees of Saepa member companies who have joined Wellness Express are entitled to unlimited visits for a flat monthly fee. They may also sign up their spouse and children at a lower additional cost. A visit to the health centres has given an express timing at less than 40 minutes, compared to hours or even days at public facilities. “The launch follows two years of intensive research conducted with two major industry employers and their people,” said Marshall. “This enabled us to compile a needs analysis and carry out a detailed risk assessment. The profile of employees in our industry is very different. Many work outside normal working hours to move urgently-needed goods the same day or overnight to business and consumers. Moreover, many owner drivers spend a great deal of time away from home. In addition to treatment, they are given vitamins during their visits and offered guidance on healthy lifestyle choices,” he said. Saepa and iKhambi Care spent 18 months designing a service that addresses the need of industry employees – even down to the question of pricing. “The monthly fee of R150 is considerably less than the average cell phone spend,” says Marshall. For this fee, employees enjoy access to primary health care – coughs and colds, allergies, aches and pains, dressing for wounds, as well as treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV/Aids and others. There are no exclusions and no waiting period, even for those with existing conditions. All medications on the essential drug list are provided free of charge. Though Wellness Express was conceived as a social responsibility initiative, it soon emerged that there were benefits to to all parties. A healthier, positive workforce is no longer dependent on over-burdened government facilities. This significantly reduces work hours lost owing to sickness and clinic visitors. This, in turn, enhances the company’s ability to provide uninterrupted customer services. TNT and UPS were among the first companies to sign up. The first Wellness Express health centre is close to OR Tambo International Airport, the centre of gravity of Johannesburg’s courier and express freight industry. Further centres are opening in Centurion in October, Cape Town and Durban in November, Another three are planned for the first quarter of 2009. Companies that are members of Saepa are automatically entitled to subscribe for their employees. There is no cost, though some employees may wish to subsidise employee contributions. The iKhambi care management team has over 12 experience of managing the health of over 20 000 employees in industries ranging mining to hospitality. This includes all levels of primary health and chronic disease management including occupational health and safety and HIV/Aids. Saepa and its predecessors’ the Couriers Association, has represented the interests of companies in the industry for over 10 years.