Empowering South Africa's Healthcare: The Impact of the Social Employment Fund Ambassadors

It is no secret that South Africa’s public healthcare system grapples with significant challenges including staff shortage and budget constraints. The Social Employment Fund (SEF) has emerged as a crucial solution to help address the scarcity of human capital at public healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape by placing SEF ambassadors who have left an indelible mark in many through their servitude. From the Ambassadors stationed at Port Elizabeth Central Archives to those at Ntapane Clinic and the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, they undertake various duties that contribute to the smooth functioning of these institutions.

A recent site visits vividly demonstrated how the programme not only offers employment opportunities to the unemployed but also instils hope in each of them, their families, and the institutions they serve. A recurring need across all three facilities was patient record management in archive rooms and procedures. The challenge of files being archived while the individual is still alive poses a significant issue when they return to seek public healthcare. The facilities unanimously acknowledged the invaluable assistance provided by the ambassadors in creating and managing these filing systems and tracing missing files.

The transformation observed at the Port Elizabeth Central Archives was striking. The small team of four ambassadors displayed exceptional dedication and expertise in their tasks. Under the leadership of Department of Health’s Eupimia Loutz, the archive room underwent a remarkable before-and-after change to which she commented, “I could not have been able to get this room looking like this without their help. Without their diligent efforts, the filing room and archives would remain in disarray due to the overwhelming workload faced by the existing teams.”

Similarly, at the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, the file room appeared well-organised, with ambassadors playing a crucial role in cataloguing files and ensuring their accessibility. Supervisor, Alfrida Brink, emphasised the importance of their team's vigilance in preventing files from slipping through the cracks amidst the constant influx and outflow of documents.

In rural OR Tambo District, Ntapane Clinic is the star of its community despite being a small facility. The contribution of the ambassadors in assisting with managing their archive system effectively has brought a notable change to their patient file management department. Facility professional nurse in charge of natal care, Sr. Lindiwe Maketa shared, “I call them Amabhaku (greyhounds), because there is no file they cannot find, no matter how long it takes, they bring it back to you.”

The ambassadors' passion, appreciation, and eagerness to serve the public healthcare sector were evident in every facility we toured. Numerous individuals expressed their appreciation for the opportunity received to make a positive impact in their community, irrespective of the length of their participation. For individuals such as Bulelwa Lugcalo, who had endured five years of unemployment and concealed their qualifications, the prospect of meaningful employment brought a renewed sense of hope and direction to their lives. While another ambassador, Noluthabo Mkana, shared, “I appreciate how we are given room to try different departments, I have learned skills from every department here. We do our best to ensure every patient gets the care they need.”

The skills acquired in archiving and file management represent are an invaluable add on to enhance their professional skills and deepen their understanding of the workplace. While the initiative may be nearing its conclusion, the seed it has planted in the lives of these ambassadors will endure for years to come, igniting a flame of determination and empowerment that will continue to burn brightly.