GEMS - supporting women on the journey to empowerment

"Wathint'abafazi Wathint'imbokodo! -
Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock!"

South Africa has come a long way since the very first time these words were chanted on 9 August 1956 by a united group of women protesting against the pass laws imposed by the apartheid government. Not only is South Africa a free and fair democracy, we have also made great strides in terms of gender transformation.

While there is still much to be done to provide women with equal opportunity, GEMS is proud to be behind the progress of women in our country, supporting them on their journey to a future of total empowerment.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate existing and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of women as healthcare decision-makers this National Women's Day, 9 August 2012.

Women - the major healthcare decision makers
In just seven years GEMS has become the second largest medical scheme in South Africa, providing healthcare cover to more than 1.7 million beneficiaries, 57.2% of whom are women.

Women now play a major role in the South African economy and this is mirrored by the fact that, in the majority of instances, women are the main decision makers when it comes to healthcare. These women are the bedrock of our society, raising the leaders of tomorrow while they themselves make a positive impact on the economy through their own career success.

So why is it that women in government today are exercising their decision-making powers by choosing GEMS to take care of their healthcare needs and those of their families?

A special brand of female insight
What sets GEMS apart from other medical schemes is our unrivalled innovation and ability to design and implement benefits that are truly in line with the needs of our members. This is particularly true in the case of our female members. We offer a number of excellent benefits specifically for women including breast reductions and contraception. We also place a big emphasis on providing young mothers and moms-to-be with support through our maternity programme.

GEMS has such a clear insight into the healthcare needs of women because of the female influence at the Scheme. Two thirds of the GEMS executive committee are women and a total of 70% of the Scheme's staff complement is female. This enables us to place the healthcare needs of women at the forefront of our business.

The GEMS maternity programme
While the Scheme receives a great amount of positive feedback on all of its benefits for women, the GEMS Maternity Programme seems to stand out for female members. The Maternity Programme is designed to provide support, education and advice through all the stages of the pregnancy, confinement and the postnatal period.

The GEMS Maternity Programme, which is headed by registered nursing professionals with specialised midwifery qualifications, was introduced to ensure that expectant mothers receive high-qualify care throughout their pregnancies.

The programme also aims to reduce the risk of possible complications. As a registered member on the programme you will have direct access to a team of experienced midwives who will assist you with advice and general information regarding your health and pregnancy-related questions.

The programme offers a wide range of benefits that are attractive to expectant mothers and includes the following:

• An informative pregnancy and birth book, which provides good information that will come in handy during your pregnancy.
• In the third trimester of your pregnancy (seven to nine months) you will receive a practical gift pack, which is well received by expectant mothers.
• You will receive a personal care plan that outlines everything you need to know as well as the maternity services that GEMS has put in place especially for pregnant women.
• You will also be given access to good health information that will help you to decide about your health and birth choices in consultation with your chosen doctor or midwife.
• Best of all, you will have access to a special telephonic advice and support line, which will be very handy during those first few weeks of parenthood. This will be particularly useful should you encounter any problems or difficulties.

We warmly encourage women in the public service who are expecting to register on the GEMS maternity programme.

Members are required to register as soon as their doctor has confirmed their pregnancy. To register on the programme or to obtain further information please contact GEMS directly on 0860 00 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.