Health MEC a passionate and empathetic leader

POLOKWANE –  When looking for a hospital to deliver her first born several years ago, her father advised Dr Phophi Ramathuba, the MEC for Health, to have confidence in her own system.

This, she says, is part of her drive behind getting the public healthcare system at a level where it delivers proper services.

“He told me I should be able to trust my own system and that is what motivates me to work hard,” she said.

Born in Elim Hospital and raised in Mashamba village in Vhembe, Ramathuba said she aspired to become a doctor all her life.

After matriculating, she went on to study medicine at the Sefako Makgatho School of Health Sciences, formerly Medunsa, where she obtained a MBCHB degree.

She obtained a Master’s degree in medical pharmacology from the University of Pretoria and thereafter completed an advanced health management course from Manchester Business School and leadership for physicians at INSEAD University.

“My father’s younger brother is a laboratory technician and his wife a nurse.

“As a child I used to admire my aunt in her nursing uniform. She used to take me with her to the nurses home in Elim and I enjoyed watching the other nurses and seeing what they do.

“That is where my passion for healthcare started. I love working with people and the rewards of my work is seeing someone’s life improve due to the service I have given them,” said the mother of two daughters, aged 10 and 12.

Her daily routine typically starts early and often involves long hours.

“I miss out on a lot of things in my children’s lives, I don’t always get to go to their school events as I spend most of my time at work. When I do get some free time, I spend it with my children, my mother and my siblings.”

The second eldest of five children, her role models are her parents.

“My mother only had Gr 7 when she got married and had her firstborn. My father suggested that she go back to school and finish Gr 12. After comleting her matric she furthered her studies and today she is a retired teacher. If my mom could do it, a wife with five children, who am I not to try? My late father played an important role in my life.

“He was a principal and taught me about leadership skills. He was always the first to arrive at school because he believed it was important that he arrived at school before anyone else to set an example.”

According to Ramathuba, there are two qualities each healthcare worker should have: passion and empathy.

“The security guard, admin and finance department, doctors, nurses everyone who works in this department should have these qualities, because if you put yourself in someone else’s shoes you will treat them better.

“A nurse will make sure a patient’s vitals are checked because if she has these qualities she will know that if she fails to do so the patient might die. The same applies for a doctor.

“If he or she exhibits these qualities, they would not allow patients to wait in queues. The admin staff will think twice before telling a patient who is sick that their file is missing,” Ramathuba explains.

Asked what she thought a successful healthcare system looked like, Ramathuba said it is when they could promote a life expectancy of 70 years.

“Currently that figure is 62 years. I was given the task to bring change to our healthcare to ensure people get good quality services and I believe once we apply passion and empathy and give people the service they need, we will reach the 70 years and older goal,” Ramathuba says.

In her spare time Ramathuba enjoys listening to gospel music, reading and cooking.

“I also enjoy going on game drives. I would often book into a game lodge just so I could go on game drives. I also have a love for shoes.

“A girl can never have too many shoes. I don’t have a lot of time to spend shopping and trying on clothes.

“It is an added bonus that shoes are so easy and quick to fit. Because of that they suit my busy schedule perfectly,” she concludes.

cheryllee@nmgroup.co.za