Mokgadi (Lischen) Mashishi

Looking to make a real impact beyond your business ventures? Volunteering for Rare Diseases South Africa could be the game-changer you've been seeking. Here's why: - Supporting a Cause: Align your organisation with important social, environmental, or humanitarian issues. By volunteering, you directly contribute to positive change and showcase your commitment to making a difference. - Fulfilling a Civic Duty: Demonstrate active citizenship by empowering your team to give back to their communities. Volunteering fosters a sense of responsibility and reinforces your organisation's values of social responsibility and community engagement. - Building Stronger Communities: Strengthen your network and foster connections within your community. Volunteering enables your team to build relationships, promote inclusivity, and create a sense of belonging among community members, enhancing your organisation's reputation as a community leader. - Expanding Skillsets: Invest in your team's personal and professional development. Volunteering offers valuable opportunities for skill-building, leadership development, and teamwork, enhancing employee engagement and retention while boosting morale and productivity. - Making a Meaningful Impact: Showcase your organisation's commitment to social impact and corporate social responsibility. Whether through direct service, advocacy, or fundraising, your team can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities in need, enhancing your organisation's reputation and credibility. - Raising Awareness: Leverage your organisation's platform to raise awareness about important issues and educate the public. By engaging with the community, your team can help spread knowledge, dispel myths, and promote understanding and empathy, driving positive social change. - Inspiring Others: Lead by example and inspire others to get involved. Your organisation's commitment to volunteerism sets a powerful example for employees, customers, and stakeholders, creating a ripple effect of positive change in society. In summary, volunteering for Rare Diseases South Africa is not only about giving back but also about building stronger communities, empowering your team, and making a meaningful impact beyond your business endeavours. Get involved today and be part of creating a better, more equitable world for all: https://lnkd.in/gxFCfFdb #CorporateVolunteering #SocialImpact #CommunityEngagement #CSR #MakeADifference

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Evolving through learning: transforming challenges into growth opportunities. 🌱 This year, I embraced a growth mindset by embarking on an ICF-Accredited Business Coaching Program with GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science). Balancing outputs with these two knowledge books. The journey continues. #BusinessCoaching #Leadership #SystematicThinking Marc Kahn Jenny Rogers

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It's World Hypertension Day, and this year's theme is "Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer." 🌍 According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 1 in 3 South Africans live with hypertension 📈 High blood pressure can lead to other non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and stroke. ☹ What you eat can help lower blood pressure.🥦 One of the simplest ways to manage blood pressure is to reduce salt consumption to no more than 5 g (1 teaspoon) per day. Processed foods, snacks, ready-made meals and fast foods often have high sodium levels. It's advised to eat these foods in moderation and check food labels for products with reduced salt content. Consider swapping these foods out for fresh, home-cooked meals seasoned with natural flavours like herbs, without added salt. 👍 Download (link in bio) our free factsheet for patients and health professionals to learn more about managing hypertension using plant-based nutrition.📝 Link to factsheet: https://lnkd.in/e-UfQJBx #hypertension #worldhypertensionday #sodium #noncommunicablediseases #bloodpressure

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South Africa’s silent struggle with multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS), a complex neurological disease, affects 2.9 million people worldwide, with an average of 300 people diagnosed globally every day. In South Africa, its true extent remains unknown; the disease may be more prevalent than previously thought. This is according to local neurologist Dr. Natanya Fourie, who notes that a lack of comprehensive data and awareness means there may be many more undiagnosed or misdiagnosed sufferers with MS than realised. This is particularly concerning, as the number of cases appears to be increasing. To mark the upcoming World MS Day, which takes place on May 30 each year, Dr Fourie has partnered with patient support organisation Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA), to raise awareness of this condition, hoping that this campaign will advocate for early and accurate diagnosis. This year’s World MS Day campaign is “My MS Diagnosis”. Particularly appropriate in this context, early diagnosis is critical to managing the disease and improving treatment outcomes. “The sooner we make the diagnosis, the better the long-term outcome will be,” she says. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, enabling them to lead a more normal lifestyle and potentially extending their life expectancy. While delayed diagnosis and treatment invariably result in a poorer outcome, often marked by significant impairment in mobility. Consequently, prognosis worsens when diagnosis is delayed. Challenges in diagnosing multiple sclerosis Dr Fourie explains that MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the optic nerves and the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord and can result in a wide variety of symptoms. Fatigue is frequently identified as the most common symptom of MS, alongside symptoms such as visual, motor, sensory, and balance issues. Early referral to a neurologist is imperative and can have a meaningful impact on the patient. Dr Fourie states that the disease is more common in females and is often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. “We see more and more children being diagnosed, so it can occur at any age.” Non Smit, Director of MSSA, emphasises that enhanced research and data on the epidemiology of MS in South Africa are crucial for strengthening advocacy efforts aimed at increasing affordable access to treatment and care. “According to our information, the prevalence varies across different ethnic groups and age demographics, and we need a lot more research and studies to better understand these patterns,” she states. MSSA is extensively involved in lobbying on behalf of MS patients, seeking to highlight the global and national barriers to healthcare; build informed, caring communities for MS patients; raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms, and its impacts; advocate for better MS training and research; provide resources and support for MS patients.

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New and emerging tests ongoing in research for Endometriosis management. This video is a part of our 100 days of Endometriosis awareness campaign. #endometriosis #endometriosisafrica #endometriosisawareness

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Have a happy (and healthier) Africa Day! Africa Day marks an important day in my calendar. It is a day where Vitality Health International celebrates unity across the seven African countries in which we operate. With this year’s theme – ‘Educate an African fit for the 21st century’ – we’ve chosen to focus on education around physical activity. The World Health Organization estimates that 27.5% of adults and 81% of adolescents are physically inactive. It’s critical that we reverse this trend – particularly considering that the enormous health benefits of physical activity are evident even at low levels of engagement – if sustained. The Vitality Habit Index supports this outlook and practically outlines how to create habits for a longer, healthier life. See the link lower down for the full report. At Vitality Health International, being physically active is part of our culture. Over the last year, we have established a regular Padel event get-together after Exco meetings (a great way to let off some steam). We take walks on the roof of the Discovery building where we work, play basketball and get together for Vitality runs. The focus on activity also extends across the region. I am so proud of the team at Vitality Health International who continue to come up with innovative ways to encourage other people – our members (employees who work for our corporate clients) – to be physically active and adopt healthy lifestyles, such as through the Vitality Champs programs, competitions and steps challenges, to name a few. As a build-up to Africa Day, Vitality Health International has challenged thousands of members to compete against each other in a physical activity challenge that set out to #MakeAfricaHealthier. Thank you again to the Vitality Health International team and to everyone who has participated in this campaign. Keep an eye on the Vitality Health International LinkedIn page to see who got the most physical activity Vitality points and won a number of exciting prizes. #MakeAfricaHealthier #AfricaDay #healthinsurance #HealthyHabits Read more on the Habits Index: https://discv.co/3Kde59I

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The silent pandemic: How chronic diseases are impacting South Africa   Many of us are caught in a relentless cycle of work and responsibility, overlooking the vital importance of primary healthcare and early intervention. Meanwhile, for others, the barriers to accessing even the most basic medical services are all too real due to financial constraints.   Dr Peter Makhambeni, Chief Clinician of the National HealthCare Group, illuminates these disparities and the resulting public health crisis that is quietly waiting in the wings. He warns that the pandemic has only magnified these issues, with disrupted healthcare services delaying diagnoses and worsening outcomes for those living with chronic diseases.   Yet, amidst the challenges, there is hope. By prioritising preventative care, making healthy lifestyle choices and breaking the cycle of neglect, we can combat the rise of chronic disease. Regular check-ups, a balanced diet, adequate rest and exercise are the foundation of good health.   Dr Makhambeni emphasises that the battle against chronic diseases begins with individual responsibility, but he also acknowledges the critical role of accessible, affordable healthcare services.   Initiatives like MediClub iConnect Plus, introduced by National HealthCare Group, are working to bridge this gap. Providing coverage for primary healthcare services and chronic medication and promoting health education empowers individuals to take proactive steps towards better health outcomes.   Let's combat chronic diseases and improve healthcare access for all South Africans. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient society.   #chronicdiseases #healthcareaccess #healthcareforall #healthandwellbeing #nationalhealthcaregroup #proactivecare #takingproactivemeasures #sahealthcare #preventativecare #lifestylechanges #drpetermakhambeni #tymehealth #nationalhealthcaregroup #healtheducation

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Assignment in Namibia - Expanding my identity Department of Preventative Health Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology February 15 - March 2, 2024 Our identity is a complex tapestry woven from multitude of threads, each one contributing to the person we are today. By no means are our identities set in stone - they are fluid, dynamic, and constantly evolving as we navigate through life. Knowing that we have the power to shape our identity when we lean in, to trust the person we are destined to be, I accepted the generous offer by Roche & B360 to travel to Namibia and take 35 Namibian Health Science students to the depths of managing complex projects, running a business, thriving in challenging interviews and collaborating effectively in teams. The mission was magnetic: 43.4% of Namibia’s youth are unemployed - nearly 3 times as many as the global average*. So if with my contribution I could make a small contribution to increase their chances in the workplace and beyond, I was up for the challenge, I was hooked. I knew it would not be easy - the ask was ambiguous, would require lots of preparation and work, it would be full of surprises, I would need to step out of my comfort zone, I would need to overcome adversity, be prepared to make mistakes, get things wrong, question my assumptions. I would be the teacher and the one that is being taught lessons of self discovery - and that is exactly why it was my highlight of 2024 (and beyond)! A rollercoaster of emotions - with deep appreciation for the lecturers who were prepared to let go and trust us to do our best as well as the openness, warmth and curiosity of all the 35 and sometimes up to 50 beautiful student souls - all this made it an unforgettable experience that has woven more threads into the tapestry of who I am. Hawe nawa tupu. Thank you. Oh and before I forget … for those of you thinking of doing the same, here are some helpful tips: … with sunshine non stop and temperatures of 40 degrees outside, learning how to keep cool is the make or break of your day… everyone with no exception likes chocolates so bring lots … leaning into maximum flexibility and expecting the unexpected pays off as things change … Namibia is no place to lose weight, it is an unparalleled culinary experience … the student’s love music and dancing and I used it to make them feel energized - try this: Gazza https://lnkd.in/ewAbJZFb

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We are witness to and now form part of a pivotal moment in South African history. Despite Africa's past struggles with leadership transitions, the 2024 national election stands as a testament to our countries democracy. The ruling party's loss of majority support, without conflict, highlights the integrity of our electoral process and in my opinion is victory for all South Africans in itself. This outcome reflects our collective progress and strengthens our democratic foundation, regardless of the final coalition outcomes. Here's hoping the next two weeks brings positive, peaceful and impactful change for us all. #SouthAfrica #Democracy #ProudlySouthAfrican #Election2024

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Condom distribution in South Africa decreased 45% over the past 5 years but the risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high, signalled by the reported rise in infections in certain provinces and complicated by inconsistent and incorrect condom use. Let's protect ourselves and our communities by practicing safe sex, using condoms reliably and responsibly. #CondomUsage #HIV #AIDS #STIs #SexuallyTransmittedInfections #SafeSex #Condoms #IOTW #InsightOfTheWeek #Actuary #Actuaries #Healthcare #HealthcareActuary #HealthcareActuaries #LifeActuary #LifeActuaries #ActuarialSolutions #HealthSolutions #DataSolutions #LifeSolutions #AdvisorySolutions 

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Two interesting stories related to access and compulsory licences recently broke within days of each other. The first was that Vertex Pharmaceuticals has reached an agreement to make its cystic fibrosis (CF) therapy Trikafta available in South Africa through a patient-support NGO, which may pre-empt a court case that seeks a compulsory licence. The second development was that the government of Colombia issued its first-ever compulsory licence, allowing the Ministry of Health to procure generic versions of ViiV’s HIV therapy dolutegravir.   Until now, many CF patients in South Africa have been members of an informal buyers’ club that has obtained Trixacar, a generic elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor product from Gador in Argentina. The lawsuit seeks a compulsory licence on the grounds that Vertex has failed to make Trikafta “available to the Republic on reasonable terms.”   The South African Cystic Fibrosis Association has, however, announced that Trikafta will now be available on a named-patient basis through Discovery Health Comprehensive Plans at no additional cost to patients. The drug is not yet licensed in South Africa, so approval under SAHORA Section 21 will need to be renewed every six months. A Vertex spokeswoman told STAT that, given South Africa’s “historic unwillingness to fund innovative medicines especially in rare diseases,” this mechanism is “the quickest way to secure access.”   Across the Atlantic, the Colombian government has issued a compulsory licence, valid until 28th April 2026, on dolutegravir. The government will obtain the drug at a cost of US$44 per patient per year. ViiV Healthcare will be paid 0.11 pesos for each milligram of dolutegravir, plus any taxes that may apply.   Luz Marina Umbasia Bernal, Director of the Global Humanitarian Progress Corporation Colombia, commented on the wider implications of the compulsory licence: “At the regional level, implementing this mechanism generates a vital precedent for promoting access to essential medicines. … Latin American governments have the right to use TRIPS flexibilities to protect the health of their citizens.”   Peter Maybarduk, Access to Medicines Director of Public Citizen, said: “Colombia is planting a flag for global health equity. This will inspire new regional challenges to patent barriers and improve treatment access, towards an AIDS-free generation. Treatment activists have worked toward this decision for several years, helping Colombia stand up to pharma.”   ViiV will challenge the compulsory licence in #Colombia and the Andean Community. In a statement, the company said: “We remain open to engage with the Colombian government to find a solution and will continue to provide a consistent supply of dolutegravir in Colombia, as we have been doing since the medicine was introduced. Our supply will be in line with demand in Colombia, ensuring that people living with #HIV have access to the medication they need.” #compulsorylicensing #cysticfibrosis #southafrica

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The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in South Africa (AFHESA or Tekano) based at Tekano is a leadership development programme for health equity in South Africa. It is about strengthening the capacities of progressive social change leaders to tackle the deep social and economic inequities that characterise South Africa and that impact on the health of its citizens. Are you a social change leader committed to social justice and health equity? Join Tekano’s community of dynamic changemakers. Their call for applicants is now open. Apply here: bit.ly/4ezREd2 Deadline: 31 July 2024 Tekano is a part of a global network of similar initiatives in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Through the global, interconnected set of Atlantic Fellows programmes - which includes Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity (AFRE) - Fellows collaborate across disciplines and borders to understand and address the root causes of pressing global problems. Tekano and AFRE are two (2) of seven (7) global Atlantic Fellowships. #AFRE #AFHESA #Tekano #callforapplications #healthequity https://lnkd.in/eE3JfUwW

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I hardly ever start a post with “I am so proud” - but today I am genuinely so proud to have collaborated with the 89 health professionals from 14 hospitals (7 public, 7 private) and served as project manager in this neonatal stewardship study!!🙌 In the midst of new waves of Covid-19 and challenging resource constraints, we navigated this work step by step. From the original call to action to👇 📝 Getting ethics approval for the study overall and for each of 14 hospitals across 6 provinces  and 4 of the private hospital groups 🙏 Securing leadership support at each site 🧠 Hosting team learning sessions to keep us all up to speed 🏥Designing and implementing a multidisciplinary AMS program with specific goals and outcomes ✍️ Documenting all our efforts over 24 weeks  🎤 Presenting regular feedback at  our study community zoom sessions 📊Capturing data so we could measure the impact It was by no means smooth sailing but hospital teams comprising pharmacists, doctors (neonatologists and paediatricians), clinical microbiologists and neonatal nurses at all 14 hospitals worked together to stay the course! Neonates are amongst the most vulnerable patients when it comes to antimicrobial resistance and exposure to antibiotics increases risks of mortality, hospital acquired infections and necrotising enterocolitis amongst others. We so often assume that it is not possible to implement multisector, multihospital improvements when we have limited resources🤔😬 It’s also so easy to give up when we face real world challenges in frontline healthcare.  👉 Our work showed that we could overcome setbacks, make a significant impact and share our findings to inspire health professionals globally that face the same challenges! How? By building a community of committed health professionals supported by experienced healthcare researchers in AMS and neonatal care and taking the journey together💪 You can read a summary here, and I’ll post the link to the electronic version of the paper in the comments📩  https://lnkd.in/dUeqVcFc A big thank you to: Angela Dramowski Pavel Prusakov, Debra Goff, Adrian Brink Nelesh Govender Ama Sakoa Annor, Liezl Balfour (Ph.D.), Adrie Bekker , Azraa Cassim, Michelle Gijzelaar, Sandi Holgate , Sonya Kolman , Angeliki Messina, Hafsah Tootla Natalie Schellack, Andriette Van Jaarsveld, Kessendri Reddy, Shakti Pillay, Lucinda Conradie , Anika van Niekerk, Tarina Bester, Pearl Alexander, Antoinette Andrews, Magdel Dippenaar, Colleen Bamford Sharnel Brits, pinky chirwa, Hannelie Erasmus, Pieter Ekermans, Pebenita Gounden, Teresa Kriel, Dini Mawela, @Masego Moncho, Tonia Mphuthi, ronald nhari, Esmita Charani, Pablo Sánchez Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) Netcare Life Healthcare Lenmed Mediclinic #healthcarechangeleader  #collaborativeresearch #AMS

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Early detection is the most powerful way to improve the prognosis for breast cancer. While it's commonly believed that breast cancer only affects women over 40, this is not always true. In South Africa, about 1 in 6 breast cancers occur in women younger than 40 years old, and the disease tends to be more aggressive in younger patients. Getting screened from the age of 40, or even earlier if necessary, is crucial for detecting breast cancer. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. Detecting and curing breast cancer at an early stage can help avoid heavy treatments and mastectomy, and it increases the chances of survival. Prevention starts with being well-informed. Feel free to book a clinical consultation combined with a comprehensive breast cancer screening, which includes a mammogram with AI-aided cancer detection and breast ultrasound. Please call 021 930 2662 or email info@apffelstaedt-hoosain.com. #Apffelstaedt #Hoosain #BreastHealth

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Protect Your Skin - Melanoma Facts for South African Men Did you know? Melanoma is the 4th most prevalent cancer for South African men (NCR 2022) ! Early detection is key. While melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, it's the most dangerous. Here's a quick breakdown: Melanoma: Ranked high for both men and women in South Africa. Metastatic Melanoma: This advanced stage means the cancer has spread, but treatment options exist. Melanoma Origin: Starts in skin pigment cells and can travel throughout the body. Early detection saves lives. Regular skin checks and sun protection are crucial. For more information and resources, visit the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) CANSA website. Medical Device Manufacturers of South Africa member companies continue to push boundaries and develop innovative tools for early melanoma detection. www.mdmsa.org.za #MensHealth #SkinCancerAwareness #BeatMelanoma #MedTechSA #CancerInnovation #MedicalDevices #MedicalDeviceIndustry #BiotechnologyIndustry #AutomotiveIndustry #MiningIndustry #WomeninBusiness #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanBusiness

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