Your Wellness Matters | Issue 18 | April 2021 by 44ten Media

Your

April 2021 – Issue 18

Matters The community paper to whom your wellness matters. facebook.com/yourwellnessza

@YourWellnessZA

@your_wellness_za PUBLISHING

FROM PUSHING PAPER TO PUSHING LIMITS Jehad Kasu

“Suffering in silence” is a term we hear all to often lately. Which is indicative of the grave extent of the social pressures people feel when inflicted with certain diseases – especially physical and mental health related issues. Badr Bassadien was one such person before he decided to take control of his life. In 2006, fresh from graduating with a degree in Public Administration, Badr started as an intern at the Premier’s Office in the WC Provincial Government. Here Badr spent 11 years as a diligent civil servant, working his way up to Cabinet Services where he was responsible for all in-Cabinet meeting minutes as well as the logistics of most external Cabinet projects.

The Golden Bow

a symbol for breastfeeding protection, promotion and support.

Badr and Nazia Bassadien

PARTNERS:

In the early days of his career though, Badr was grossly overweight and as a result – deeply depressed. And as such his wellness journey is a deeply personal one. A journey that progressed from self-help, to helping others, to creating a wellness movement within a community that traditionally was not wellness oriented. Speaking to Badr, he shared the turning point in his life “ I was overweight at the time and started feeling depressed about the way I looked. About not being able to move, run – I couldn’t even do one push-up. And at that age confidence plays an important role in one’s social interaction with friends – and I had none of it. But one day my clothes didn’t fit anymore and that was the last straw for me”. From that week he started using the work’s gym facilities by himself and became a bit more con-

Continued on page 3

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters is a free wellness community newspaper created to empower readers with preventative wellness information in order to make better wellness and lifestyle decisions.

TEAM:

Advertising ywmads@44tenmedia.co.za

Managing Publisher | Jehad Kasu Business Development Manager | Dali Chiwara Design & Studio Manager | Mishqa Bassardien

Printing Paarl Coldset Published by 44Ten Media Publishing

Writers: Zagreb Kline, Refiloe Nomdada, Tsolofelo Mhabe

Contributors • • • •

Western Cape Government: Health Heart and Stroke Foundation CANSA Metrorail

ywm@44tenmedia.co.za

Address:

+27 (0)72 365 4037 (Cpt)

3 George Street

+27 (0)11 886 1343 (Jhb)

Athlone

www.44tenmedia.co.za

Cape Town

PUBLISHING

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

FROM PUSHING PAPER TO PUSHING LIMITS scious about what he ate. As he experienced results while maintaining his commitment to his motivation, Badr became more and more interested in the world of wellness, nutrition and fitness – researching and learning more about this specialised industry. After a year of dedicated effort, Badr’s physical, mental and emotional improvement was undeniable. He had completely transformed his life and his friends and family now too wanted to be a part of this transformation, asking him for advice and guidance on how to achieve similar results. “I love making a positive impact on people’s lives, that’s why I became a civil servant. But being able to provide people with advice and guidance and physically witness them achieve their goals got me fired up more than I ever imagined” And after helping quite a few people transform their lives, I decided to leave my day job and pursue my new-found passion as a business.” With the growing interest in health and fitness, and Badr’s personal success and enthusiasm for the industry, he started FUNCFIT bootcamp classes in his Athlone community. Making quality training affordable and accessible for the everyday person but challenging enough for the fitness enthusiast. The FUNCFIT quickly grew into a community, leading to Badr appearing on local TV and radio shows for his role and contribution to community wellness, and also for his lead in the Provincial Government’s “Western Cape on Wellness – WOW!” initiative that Your Wellness Matters Newspaper is a founding

member of. In contrast, Badr’s wife (then client) Nazia, was an active youth who played sport throughout her schooling career, but also found herself overweight in her twenties. She contributes this to having opened her own business and being overstretched, not allocating time for her wellness.

trainer-client relationship then also transformed into a business partnership in May 2017 when they opened up The Weighting Room - a fitness, lifestyle and recreation facility. The Weighting Room was a fitness revolution and a new offering to the community that needed/ lacked focus on health and wellness.

Speaking about her wellness transformation journey with Badr, she said “He took me on a lifestyle journey and helped transform an overweight 25-year-old, improving my overall fitness and nutrition and helping me lose 26kgs in 5 months”.

The lifestyle facility offered something for all ages, from bootcamp and ladies only classes to kid’s ballet and kick boxing. They also had yoga and an in-house physio and dance school.

As it happened, Nazia owned a studio that was unused during the evenings and because of its central location it turned out to be a perfect space for Badr to move his growing FUNCFIT classes to. Their

Right: Badr’s before picture 6 months into his transformation

Badr leading a fitness class.

Left: Nazia’s before and after pictures. She lost an incredible 26kg’s in five months and regained her confidence in the process. Right: Badr’s earliest before picture is 6 months into his transformation, anf his after picture 6 years later incredible!

The Weighting Room was a base for trainers to get their careers started as well as a place for people to explore the world of

Continued on page 4

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

FROM PUSHING PAPER TO PUSHING LIMITS functional fitness with guidance, and without the intimidation and fear often felt in a commercial gym. The business partnership soon bloomed into a romance and the two tied the knot in April 2019. While initially thriving, The Weighting Room may have been ahead of its time. They struggled to maintain a core membership base making it hard to forecast and maintain the facility overheads, leading to its untimely closure within three years. When the first lockdown was imposed, it presented an unlikely glimmer of hope as many business started taking their services to the virtual community. This too initially did well but tapered out over time. Badr and Nazia’s goal has always been to promote a healthier lifestyle, advocating healthier eating habits and increasing physical activity in order to prevent and reduce the risk of contracting preventable diseases like diabetes and obesity. One of the biggest personal challenges they experienced on their own wellness journeys was nutrition. “The food consumed these days are unfortunately not the good quality, nutritious wholesome foods of years before, but rather low in nourishment and laced with GMO’s and additives” says Nazia, with Badr adding “People also find it difficult to be disciplined and accountable when it comes to eating habits and are looking for easier alternatives when wanting to eating healthier”. “For a long time we were opposed to any sort of supplementation, but we really wanted to improve the nutritional quality of what we consumed, so a decision was made to do the research and find that alternative. After thoroughly looking at

Nazia leading a fitness class.

products and on the market and comparing various options we found something that satisfied all our requirements.” They decided to give this option a try, expecting nothing but hoping for the best. To their amazement, they experienced incredible results as well as an instant love and appreciation for the brand. Badr and Nazia found what they sought in the Herbalife Nutrition range. Contrary to popular misconception, many believe the products to be gimmick weight-loss range. Herbalife is however a high-quality cellular nutrition range of products. A bi-product though of healthy eating, regular exercise and a well-balanced lifestyle, often results in weight-loss or healthy weight management, or even muscle gain. So with their background in fitness and an established and loyal network, they were comfortable and confident to incorporate Herbalife products into their client’s wellness programmes. Since then they have

delivered several successful 21 Day body transformation challenges, helping participants to create new, healthier and sustainable habits. They help educate clients and participants with workshops, online support, meal plans, eating guides, cooking classes and of course - workouts. Herbalife products provides their clients who have busy and demanding lifestyles with convenience without sacrificing nutritional benefits. With the support of a known and trusted brand in Herbalife, Badr and Nazia have managed to extend their reach through local gym activations, sports nutrition support services with various sporting codes and health and wellness parties to create added awareness. We thank Badr and Nazia for their commitment to creating a culture of wellness within their community. For enquiries to help get your wellness journey started contact Nazia on 076 873 0894 or Badr on 072 992 0752.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO): HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION SOUTH AFRICA Partner Content

Professor Pamela Naidoo has a Masters’ Degree in Clinical Psychology (MA, Clin Psych) and a Masters’ degree in Public Health (MPH). She also holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Behavioural Medicine (DPhil) from the University of Natal (now UKZN). Prof Naidoo is a registered Clinical Psychologist and as such, much of her work straddles public health and behavioural medicine. As a public health specialist she has more than 30 years of experience in the health sector focusing on the comorbid relationship between non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health and infectious diseases. Prof Naidoo became a Full Professor in 2008. Her work experience embraces clinical practice, academia and research. She worked as a Research Director in the Psycho-social Well-Being and Behavioural Interventions programme at the South African Human Sciences Research Council until 2016. At present Prof Naidoo is the CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa and also holds an Extraordinary Professorship in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape, is Professor Extraordinary in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Psychiatry) at Stellenbosch University and an Honorary Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town. Professor Naidoo is a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher. At present Prof Naidoo is also the President of the African Heart Network, a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the World Heart Federation, a Board member of the World Stroke Organization, and an advisory member of the African Stroke Organization. 1. When did you know you want to enter the field of medicine as a career?

I am not a medical doctor but I do have a PhD in Behavioural Medicine and a Masters in Public Health. In addition, I am a registered Clinical psychologist with a Masters degree in Psychology. Since high school I have interested in science and human behaviour. However, I also wanted to make a social & economic impact on society at large and hence my career trajectory in health has always embodied these principals. 2. Tell us about your professional career before coming to the H&SF.

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist. Since early in my career I have practiced as one. In addition, I have always been an academic and researcher and over the years I worked my way up to being a Full Professor and rated researcher.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa -Professor Pamela Naidoo

3. How did you end up at the H&SF?

Members of the Board encouraged me to apply for the vacancy as CEO based on my vast experience in the health sector and evidence-based work. In addition, I have been in leadership roles prior to being appointed at the Foundation. 4. What drives you in this pathway of public health?

Good mental and physical health is a corner stone for the success of any country. Good health provides the gateway to a more productive society and longevity. Public Health embraces the whole of society which is very appealing to my philosophical position in life. 5. Do you feel any bias for or against you as a female in the industry?

Yes it is difficult at times as South Africa, and indeed the world has a history of racism and sexism. The apartheid legacy is also well-known. I have been very fortunate in many ways that I have not experienced any extreme form of difficulty in my position. Having said that, I do not allow myself to be treated in a disrespectful manner. I am generally a very tolerant individual and I believe this works in my favour as well. 6. What is your biggest aspiration while at the helm of the H&SF?

I am building on where the previous CEO left off. I envision my legacy however, to be three-fold: 1. To ensure the continued

sustainability of the Foundation; 2. To ensure that we do in fact meet our mission & vision to reduce the burden of CVD in SA, regionally and to some extent globally. 3. Since becoming the CEO of the Foundation, I have increased the stroke agenda so that all stakeholders understand the burden of stroke for those who have been inflicted and their loved ones and other social networks. The next CEO will have to take the Foundation to an even higher level as we currently do really good and important work. 7. What advice can you offer women seeking or contemplating entering the medical profession?

This may sound cliched but you cannot enter a helping profession including medicine and Allied Health if you do not have a passion for people and care deeply about society as a whole.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

THE HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES ITS FIRST MOBILE CLINIC IN KHAYELITSHA Partner Content

The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa CEO, Professor Pamela Naidoo and the Foundation’s Board Members is joined by UCT Chair of Medicine, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi and Sharon Leo, CEO of Helderberg Hospital in launching the vitally important mobile health clinic for vulnerable and older community members. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) today launched its first ever mobile clinic in Khayelitsha to provide essential preventative health screenings to the most vulnerable members of the community, starting with older persons. The clinic was launched by the Foundation’s CEO Professor Pamela Naidoo, UCT Chair of Medicine, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, Ms Sharon Leo from the Western Cape Department of Health and other dignitaries at the Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS (GAPA) centre in Khayelitsha this morning. The high-tech mobile clinic was built with grant funding from the National Lotteries Commission. It is the first in an intended series of the HSFSA’s mobile clinics to be launched in South Africa. Its mission is to travel to communities who lack the means to access basic screening and healthcare. With more new clinics the Foundation hopes to service the country’s most vulnerable communities where there is an increased prevalence of preventable Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), commonly called diseases of Life-Style. NCDs include heart disease, strokes, increased cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity. South Africa’s most under-served communities often have the highest levels of undetected and preventable NCDs. It is estimated that 70% of heart diseases and strokes can be prevented, yet 225 South Africans are killed by heart diseases every day and nearly 70 die of strokes. “The mobile clinic we launched today is the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa’s first pilot mobile community clinic in the Western Cape and South Africa. Our trained nurses are ready to conduct Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) on members of the communities where they work, and provide them with helpful information and advice on how to manage their health. Those individuals at risk will be referred for health care and treatment where needed to nearby public and private medical facilities,” said Professor Naidoo.

“In South Africa, non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, strokes and other circulatory conditions, have a high burden of disease, therefore our mobile clinic will assist in educating, informing, diagnosing and referring patients, and in doing so, lessening the strain on our overburdened healthcare system.” Patients will be specifically educated and informed on the “importance of knowing their numbers” by testing their blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI), explains Professor Naidoo. “We know these conditions are also some of the most serious comorbidities for COVID-19, therefore our work is particularly essential at this time. We expect the pandemic to be with us for quite a while and therefore it is vital that we equip vulnerable community members to take better care of themselves in the face of the pandemic,” said Professor Naidoo. The HSFSA’s mandate as an organisation is to promote healthy living and to fight preventable conditions such as heart disease and strokes in South Africa, the region and globally. The HSFSA’s mobile clinic’s daily locations will be made accessible to the public via GPS pin locations plotted on social media. Young people are encouraged to inform their parents and grandparents and assist in being social ambassadors for the work of the Foundation. The HSFSA also invites the government, businesses or brands to collaborate with the Foundation to create

health awareness around the country. The mobile clinic will roll out in Khayelitsha at GAPA for the first day and will eventually move around the area to serve as many elderly patients as possible in the first year of operation. The clinic may begin to serve a wider demographic group from its second year of operation. The clinic will follow strict COVID-19 health protocols to protect those who choose to access the service. About the Heart and Stroke Foundation The HSFSA’s mission is to halt the rise of premature deaths through cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in South Africa and promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Its core focus areas are to: * Health Awareness Events * Endorsements * Workplace Wellness * Community Health Risk Assessments * School Health Promotion Initiative * Support Did you know? * 70% of heart disease and strokes can be prevented. * 225 South Africans are killed by heart diseases everyday. *13% The number of deaths caused globally by high blood pressure. * 10 People suffer a stroke in South Africa every hour. * 31% of men and 68% of women in South Africa are obese. According to Stats SA, 62.2% of women and 25.1% of men in the Western Cape are overweight or obese. The body mass index (BMI) range is 18.5 – 24.9, while overweight people score between 25 to 29.9 and obese people score 30 or higher.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

RS COMPONENTS PARTNERS WITH GEEKULCHA TO HACK FOR A DIFFERENCE Supplied Content

The Annual Geekulcha Hackathon took place recently and saw more than 100 coders developers and programmers challenge each other in an online contest. This anticipated event has become a highlight in the African developer ecosystem. This year, the event went virtual, offering ‘hackers’ the chance to develop and code from the safety and comfort of their homes. Mixo Ngoveni, one of the founders of Geekulcha said that for the first time ever, the hackathon took place over 42 hours with various challenges in the mix to test the minds of these computer coding enthusiasts. “Covid-19 has brought about many challenges and as such we were not able to host our usual events due to lockdown regulations. This year, we decided to make it virtual and to ensure that we maximise the event, instead of one day, hackers had 42 hours to come up with solutions under one virtual roof, using technology. We also saw all nine provinces being represented,” Ngoveni said. Ngoveni further added that these events have shed much needed light on coding, technology and innovation to not only the youth, but for everyone keen to learn something different. “Each event brings about something new, and the Geekulcha team and I are truly humbled to be a part of this movement. We, in South Africa, have a lot to offer the world in terms of innovation and technology and all we need is support. I would like to thank all who make these events possible

and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to RS Components for always supporting our projects and endeavours,” he said. This year, RS Components have come on board with sponsored components, hardware and prizes for this year’s entrants. Wesley Hood, STEM Education Specialist for RS Components, said that these events truly add value to the youth of the country. “We, at RS Components are passionate about education and nurturing the next generation of innovators. Events such as this Hackathon, excites us, and we are proud to partner up with Geekulcha and look forward to future events where we can see South Africa’s tech geniuses at work. The team at Geekulcha have been inspiring to watch grow and adapt over the last year. Although we miss being at their physical events it was great to be part of the virtual panel of judges, the teams really showed off their skills and brought some

innovative ideas to the table,” he said. This year’s winner was Trevor Morethe who came up with an idea to digitise street food vendors of South Africa with his Let Me Serve You (LMSY) mobile app. Morethe said that his application will provide a platform where consumers can order food and discover street food vendors in their surrounding areas. “With my developed mobile app, I want to help street food vendors track orders, streamline their processes while assisting customers, like me, to save time when ordering food as well as provide information on nearby vendors. This will assist these micro-businesses and their customers step into the digital world,” he said. Ngoveni concluded by saying that as an organization Geekulcha, always encouraged creativity and innovation. “We have to find creative and innovative ways to better our communities and address challenges using technology. Our annual hackathon is one way of doing this. The different teams worked on solutions that came from the challenges presented for the hackathon. On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank all the mentors and judges who dedicated their time to help guide and mentor the different teams with their solutions. We would also like to thank our sponsors, especially RS Components for always supporting us with our projects throughout the year,” he said. For those who wish to support or learn more about Geekulcha, please email Ngoveni on mixo@geekulcha.com or visit the website: www.geekulcha.com.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

SA MUST ADOPT A HUMAN-CENTRED APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE DELIVERY Supplied Content

It’s no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the existing inequality in South Africa, and in the case of access to healthcare, it exacerbated it. This is according to Paul Cox, Managing Director of the Essential Group of Companies (which includes health insurance provider EssentialMED). The latest figures from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) estimate that the number of excess deaths in South Africa between May 2020 and March 2021 is 146,626,[1]- a far cry from the most recent official Covid death toll of 52,196[2]. By comparing the time trends in excess deaths, SAMRC says that between 85-95% of the unaccounted deaths were likely to be directly related to Covid and that the remaining 5-15% were probably collateral causes due to health services being overwhelmed during various waves of the pandemic or due to people being too afraid to seek healthcare for fear of contracting the virus[3]. Cox says: “This gap between official and unofficial Covid-related deaths highlights how many South Africans may have died in their homes from the virus, without consulting a doctor. Yet, the pandemic’s onset could have served as a catalyst to fast-track the implementation of a more human-centred approach to healthcare services that our system so desperately requires. Just as it forced bricks-and-mortar-only businesses to take the plunge into the digital world of e-commerce, in a country of 22 million smart phone users and an existing health infrastructure that is inherently broken, the opportunity for telemedicine has never been more desirable.” Telemedicine is Human Centred He explains that telemedicine uses infor-

mation technology and e-communication to provide remote clinical services to patients. “From remote doctor consultations and diagnoses, to remote monitoring and e-prescriptions, it has the power to reach a large population in real-time, in a language they understand. The physical limitations of medical services do not apply to telemedicine, such as having to wait for hours in a queue at a clinic, or not understanding your physician due to a language barrier. While it’s true that not all South Africans are at ease with digital technology, namely the ageing population, the possibility exists to tailor solutions for different markets. “Covid has shown that there is no place for a broad-brush approach to healthcare – the unaccounted deaths are proving this. Telemedicine provides the platform for a more efficient, multi-faceted, yet personalised approach that focuses on delivering preventative healthcare services, the ongoing treatment of illnesses, as well as after-shock management. Most importantly, it gives our most vulnerable citizens access to healthcare services at a time when they need it the most.”

Public – private partnerships are critical to the conversation. At the outset of the pandemic, the private sector was quick to start addressing the underlying issues at stake, such as ways to get education up and running at a mass level, and how to employ technology or access to treatment. Implemented in close to 440 clinics, clinic management and telemedicine service Healthforce.io sets up clinic nurses as a low-cost entry point into the health care system, connecting patients with nurses in real-time with an on-demand remote doctor network. Similarly, award-winning Vula Mobile was developed to assist rural healthcare workers in receiving quick and efficient specialist advice and care remotely. “While the private sector is moving in the right direction, without public-private partnerships we can only hope to reach a small percentage of our population. Mass mobilisation is required to adopt a more human-centred approach to healthcare in South Africa, and the impetus must be driven by the Department of Health, or else we risk further increasing the gap,” concludes Cox.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

REVOLUTIONISING CHRONIC MEDICATION DELIVERY IN PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WITH SMART LOCKERS Supplied Content

A major issue in South Africa is the long queues at public hospital pharmacies. Many patients who rely on public healthcare have to regularly take a day off work to collect their chronic medicines. Through Right ePharmacy, in conjunction with the Department of Health and BBD, an innovative approach using electronic smart lockers is now offered. This is helping to alleviate the problem of medicine collection in urban and rural areas across the country. A critical step in helping ease the burdens around collecting medicine is in eliminating the backlogs as quickly as possible through last-mile delivery to patients while simultaneously minimising company costs. For Right ePharmacy, moving to the cloud to facilitate this was the obvious solution. “To achieve this, our centralised solutions require a global presence of hosted applications and the ability to connect to both the patients as well as the depots and last mile locations” explains Fanie Hendriksz, Managing Director for Right ePharmacy “Some of the challenges we faced included deploying these smart locker services in regions with no connectivity. For this we reached out to BBD, our software development partner who architected a hybrid data transfer approach using a mixture of mobile, fixed line and proprietary transfer methods to keep the data hosted in the cloud near real-time.” Part of the success of this venture is in that the smart lockers alert patients as to when they can collect their chronic medication from one of the nearest ‘Collect & Go’ smart

lockers, even where no internet connectivity exists – especially in rural areas. BBD Executive André de Witt, explains that, “Mobile devices, used when delivering the parcels, synchronise data between the locker and the devices during the locker loading process. The mobile devices are then used as transport mechanisms using BBD-designed synchronisation software and all data is uploaded when the devices have connectivity again”. “Having global infrastructure as well as the ability to host health-related sensitive data locally while maintaining an integrated view of the information was a critical requirement for us. AWS has a unique value proposition offering a 100% uptime guarantee in its environment. So we can run like a bank, even though we are a relatively small business, and achieve the uptime we’re looking for with AWS on a small budget," Hendriksz adds. Another key requirement for the company was having both AWS and BBD understand its complex requirements. “We enjoy personal and technical support from our partners and they understand how our business operates,” Hendriksz states. "AWS also offers information dashboard tools that can create a single dashboard across disparate systems." Through AWS’ cloud, users receive SMS reminders of upcoming collection dates which assist with patient retention and the early identification and intervention of patients at risk of non-adherence. This leads to positive clinical outcomes and effective patient data management. It also enables

Right ePharmacy to monitor and manage dispensing units remotely, plus the ability to auto-sync databases via mobile connections in remote areas. Another benefit for Right ePharmacy is that both AWS and BBD operate in the public health sector. As Right ePharmacy expand their solutions in other countries, they are benefiting from the strategic leadership that their partners provide. Products used in the AWS solution BBD delivered include Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Linux); Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Windows); Amazon Redshift; Amazon QuickSight; Amazon Relational Database Service (SQL Server) and Amazon Virtual Private Cloud. The product that Hendriksz says is going to be very beneficial is Amazon Comprehend Medical because it provides predictive analytics and insight into the data gathered. "This will provide us with additional information into future trends within our business," he explains. "We are also planning on building a comprehensive end-to-end solution with AWS and BBD which will provide medication across the rest of Africa effectively and efficiently through AWS cloud-based technology." The dashboard and services available from AWS provide Right ePharmacy with not only keen insights and advanced analytics into users’ behaviour, but also secure easily accessible data and its management. “Considering the majority of our users are located in remote areas, the resultant solution ensures accessibility to the data necessary in providing this very necessary service to our users,” he concludes.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

WORLD HEALTH DAY 2021 BUILDING A FAIRER, HEALTHIER WORLD Partner Content

World Health Day is a global health event driven by the World Health Organisation (WHO) under the wings of the United Nations (UN). WHD is celebrated annually on the 7th of April. It aims to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern that is applicable around the world in high, middle and low-income countries. This year, World Health Day’s theme is “Building a Fairer, Healthier World.” WHO, and indeed many health authorities and governments around the world have recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the extent of inequalities that existed before the pandemic including avoidable illness, access to food, safe environments, and human rights and healthcare. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) follows the lead of the WHO and other global health bodies and has therefore subscribed to calling to attention, WHD and be a part of “Building a Fairer, Healthier World.” This year's WHD is aligned to UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) that were set in 2015 by the UN General Assembly to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all and are intended to be achieved by 2030. In South Africa, the National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. The NDP is a plan for the whole country. In the global context, heart diseases and strokes have a high burden of disease compared to other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In the South African context, they are responsible for almost every 1 in 6 deaths. But an estimate of 70% to 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease

can be prevented by your life choices and habits, such as eating a healthy diet. There are many risk factors for CVD. Poverty in South Africa has been associated with a change in food consumption patterns whereby healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables are more expensive than energy-dense junk foods. Energy-dense foods are high in fat and sugar but low in vitamins and minerals and unfortunately, this becomes the food of choice for those who are poor. . Frequent and overconsumption of energy-dense foods exposes people to obesity which is a risk factor for CVDs. Overnutrition is one dimension of malnutrition that is brought about by food insecurity. COVID-19 has highlighted the vulnerability and weaknesses in an already fragile food system. 12 000 people across the globe could die each day due to hunger driven by COVID-19. In South Africa, 1 in 3 adults goes to bed hungry. We urge the Government to monitor food inequalities and to ensure that all South Africans have reliable access to a sufficient amount of affordable, safe and nutritious food. This is only fair and prevents premature illness and deaths from NCD’s, such as heart disease and stroke. Another major risk factor for a decrease in overall health is air pollution. According to WHO, in its Global Burden of Disease Report, air pollution is a major health threat across the world. It is the largest contributor to the burden of diseases from the environment. Effects of long term exposure to air pollution can range from mild breathing to severe cardiovascular diseases. Recent data by the UN & WHO (2019), highlights that there are more than 7 million people that die globally from air pollution every year, including 1.7

million children. Conditions related to these deaths include people dying from ischaemic heart diseases, lung cancer, strokes and other respiratory conditions. Particulate matter is a significant source of air pollution that is particularly damaging to the heart and brain. Particulate matter is thought to contribute to CVD by promoting atherosclerosis, leading to the narrowing of blood vessels, as well as causing cardiovascular inflammation, and increasing blood clots, the effects of which include hypertension, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Reducing air pollution can help countries in preventing premature mortalities and help reach the target for the 3rd UN’s SDG goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. The right to health doesn't only mean the right to be healthy. It also means equal and fair opportunities for all, to access the highest attainable standard of health. As a result, the right to health overlaps strongly with other human rights, for instance, the right to human dignity, the right to food, housing, work and education. This is set within the context of Health and Human Rights. The right to healthcare means affordable and available health services. Universal health coverage means health services are available to all who need them, regardless of financial situation and health services are of good quality. Most low and middle-income countries like South Africa still have to achieve universal health coverage. Prof. Pamela Naidoo, CEO, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), adds: “All individuals have obligations to

Continued on page 12

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

WORLD HEALTH DAY 2021 BUILDING A FAIRER, HEALTHIER WORLD respect, protect and fulfil the human right to health to the fullest. Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is vital for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death and achieving health equity for all”. Creating smoke-free environments is a vital tobacco control intervention and these laws protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand and even thirdhand smoke. Second-hand smoke has been associated with most of the same harmful effects as direct smoking. Tobacco smoking is also one of the main preventable causes of hypertension which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. This can be used to inform efforts to tackle the growing ciga-

rette epidemic and its negative effects on hypertension. Fortunately, the global community is making progress toward improving tobacco control. The efforts of Governments, Civil Society and the International community, including through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), are having life-saving effects in many countries. However, we continue to contend with the reality that many countries with young populations are experiencing growing prevalence as the tobacco industry’s tactics undermine public health efforts. If we are to reach the NDP plan by 2030, it is important that each sector recognises its global responsibility, including govern-

ments, academia, civil society, public and private financiers, media agencies, international organisations and industry. The Foundation will continue its efforts to advocate for a healthier environment and joins the WHO in its commitment to ensuring that everyone can realize the right to good health. At the same time, we urge leaders to monitor health inequities and to ensure that all people are able to access safe, nutritious food, a healthier environment, quality health services and other human rights. Prof Naidoo urges all South Africans to mobilize to build a better South Africa where all South Africans gain access to health -care. In particular, the public sector has to build capacity to provide the care.

WHY YOUR BODY NEEDS MORE SLEEP Supplied Content

A good night’s sleep can reduce your stress levels, improve your health and change your life. So how can you get more shuteye? You’ve done it. We’ve all done it. Whether it’s pulling an all-nighter to meet an impossible deadline, staying up late to watch a midweek movie or taking the night shift to earn some extra cash, we’ve all deprived ourselves of a good night’s sleep. It may not seem like a big deal (especially not after your fourth espresso in the morning), but those missed hours of rest could have a huge impact on your health and happiness.

But that’s not all, folks. A 2019 study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that while a full night of sleep can stabilize your emotions, a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30% rise in anxiety levels. “Our study strongly suggests that insufficient sleep amplifies levels of anxiety and, conversely, that deep sleep helps reduce such stress,” study lead Eti Ben Simon said. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal, without enough brake.”

A 2020 study by researchers at Sweden’s Uppsala University found that when young, healthy men were deprived of just one night of sleep, they had higher levels of tau (a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease) in their blood than when they had a full, uninterrupted night of rest.

A knock-on effect Poor sleep is linked to dozens of physical and mental health problems. The Sports Science Institute of South Africa lists just a handful: obesity, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus, mental health disorders, reduced productivity, irritability… and so it goes.

“Many of us experience sleep deprivation at some point in our lives due to jet lag, pulling an all-nighter to complete a project, or because of shift work, working overnights or inconsistent hours,” said study author Jonathan Cedernaes. “Our exploratory study shows that even in young, healthy individuals, missing one night of sleep results in a slight increase in the level of tau in blood. This suggests that over time, similar types of sleep disruption could potentially have detrimental effects.”

A 2019 University of Stellenbosch Business School study underlines the problem, noting that just one South African medical aid scheme could spent about R22-billion a year treating the life-threatening diseases linked to a lack of sleep. “Lack of sleep is not only related to workplace issues such as absenteeism, lack of productivity, poor work performance, and accidents – which have a direct cost impact on a business – but insufficient sleep has been directly linked with seven of the 15 leading causes of death,”

said study author Charles King. King warned that an average of less than seven hours of sleep a night increases the risk of developing major depression by 22%, coronary artery disease by 73%, type-2 diabetes by up to 18%, and the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 50%. So, how can you change your sleep habits? King recommends avoiding use of your mobile devices, not watching TV or working in bed, and not consuming nicotine, caffeinated drinks or any substance that would impair sleep quality. Regular exercise, meanwhile, can significantly improve the quality of your sleep. The US Sleep Foundation backs this up, recommending exercise in the morning or afternoon, taking time (at least 30 minutes; preferably an hour) to downshift before bedtime, doing calming exercises (just five to 10 minutes of deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation), or turning off your thoughts by writing down your concerns in the afternoon and putting them aside to address the next morning. These may be small changes, but they could make an enormous difference to your mind and body. The science doesn’t lie: lack of sleep is a slow-burning killer, and you need to get a decent night’s rest if you want to perform well. It’s the best activity you can do to achieve the meaningful changes you’re seeking… even if it feels like doing nothing.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

I am for Her Partner Content “Period Blood is Dirty”

Menstrual fluid isn’t old blood, and it certainly isn’t dirty. You may have been made to feel this way by older relatives or friends, but there is nothing innately unclean about your period, or you when you’re on it. Some South African menstruators are brought up to believe that they shouldn’t be intimate with anybody while on their period. Others have been discouraged from going to religious ceremonies or places of worship, or even handling food when they’re menstruating. “One interesting myth we heard was that menstrual blood could be used for witchcraft, so that’s why girls have to make sure no one knows they’re menstruating, Whatever the origin of these myths, they’re unfounded, and only contribute to the shame and stigma surrounding menstruators’ bodies. Remember: menstruation is a natural bodily function, and while menstrual fluid isn’t pretty (blood clots, anyone?), it isn’t unclean, and neither are you. “Periods Shouldnʼt Be Spoken About”

This one’s a biggie. It’s going to take some time to get there, but we hope that as we keep having these conversations and making it possible for people to talk unreservedly about their bodies, we can show menstruators that being open about your period isn’t bad manners or something to be ashamed about. Your period is no different to any other bodily function, and silence around it is unnecessary and obstructive, making it difficult for people to access information, medical help and support when necessary. The more that we all talk about periods (and menstrual cycles, and and) the easier it will be to start these conversations and include the people who need them the most. We understand that myths are often passed down from older relatives, and takes a gentle approach when dissuading people from believing in taboos. “We tend to teach kids the biology of it, so that they can come to their own conclusion about the taboo, which usually ends with them being confident about their periods and understanding the importance of researching information around it,” “Your First Period Means That Youʼve Been Sexually Active”

This period myth is really unfortunate, since it makes it hard for younger menstruators to approach their mothers or guardians when they start their periods, and need that first bit of support and sanitary supplies. It’s especially harmful for people who start men-

Natalie Jardine Head of Brand: I am For Her

struating really early on, and in South Africa, where children can get their first periods very young, the threat of being mistaken to be sexually active makes it difficult to disclose what’s happening with their bodies. “You can imagine girls who start menstruating at the age of eight, and how terrified they are of telling anyone about this, and how they have to cope with their periods in isolation.” If we look at what happens during the menstrual cycle, menstruation on a biological level, we’ll quickly see there’s simply no scientific basis for this myth. “Your Period is a Sign of Disease”

There are several variations on this troublesome myth, but however it manifests, the belief that a period is a sign of anything other than functioning ovaries is a debilitating one. It’s troubling that so many younger menstruators are still being told that menstruation is a sign of illness or disease, or even an indication that they have been cursed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: your period is a sign that your ovaries and uterus are healthy. While there are certain conditions that can cause irregular periods or even absent periods (amenorrhea), the presence of a period indicates that you’re developing normally, and is nothing to be worried about.

“Tampons Can Break Your Virginity”

“Girls feel scared to use tampons because they fear that it will break their hymen,” This myth has had an unfortunately long shelf life, but it’s time we put it to bed for good. Virginity is a social construct and not a biological reality. The hymen, which is a thin membrane at the opening of the vagina, is often taken to be an indicator of whether or not a girl is a virgin. Contrary to popular belief, the hymen, if present, does not seal off the vagina, and can be perforated by any number of activities, including exercise. As a result, the hymen is an unreliable indicator of anything, much less virginity, and won’t be affected by a tampon. With correct insertion, tampons are reliable, comfortable alternatives to pads and can be worn by people who’ve had sex or not. While some of these myths are rooted in superstition or beliefs from older relatives and friends, they can make it harder for menstruators to reach out for help, information or support from those around them. That’s why it’s so important to arm yourself with facts, and share this knowledge with menstruators around you.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE BENEFITS OF COFFEE Partner Content

Could this warm, comforting drink actually be good for you? For most of us, coffee is an essential part of our day. It helps us through our hectic morning routines, warms us as we share precious moments with friends and when needed, gives us an extra kick of energy. But is there more to this much-loved beverage? According to Catherine Clark, Owner and Founder of The Harvest Table, for years coffee has had a bad rap, but there is finally some good news for coffee connoisseurs. “Studies are now showing that you could be getting more from your favourite beverage than you thought. Moderate coffee drinking (not more than four cups a day) is now thought to actually have a variety of health benefits as your morning cup of joe is in fact packed with healthy substances that are safeguarding your body from several chronic diseases,” says Catherine. Here are Catherine’s top four reasons why coffee may actually be one of the most beneficial beverages on the planet: 1. Increases energy: The active ingredient

in coffee that gives ‘vooma’ is caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to temporarily improve mood, reaction time, memory, vigilance and general brain function – in

other words, it boosts your energy levels and gets you moving… fast! It takes around 45 minutes for your body to absorb caffeine and the effects peak for anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. Caffeine is absorbed in the gut and dissolved in the body’s water and fat molecules and is even able to cross into the brain, but fibre or food in the gut can slow the effects of the caffeine peak. So, if you are looking for a quick “caffeine fix”, having your coffee on an empty stomach is the way to go. 2. Burns fat: Can coffee really support

weight loss? The simple answer is yes! Caffeine, partly due to its stimulant effect on the central nervous system, both raises metabolism by up to 11% and causes the body to send signals to the fat cells to break down excess fat. Of course, releasing fatty acids into your blood will not help you lose fat unless you are burning more calories than you consume so if you are watching your weight, have your morning fix but opt for coffee without milk or sugar.

3. Source of Essential Nutrients: Coffee

is loaded with nutrients and is in fact one of the best sources of antioxidants in the Western diet, even outranking many fruits and

vegetables. These high levels of antioxidants help to reduce internal inflammation and have been shown to be effective in guarding against conditions such as colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and even type 2 diabetes. 4. Boost physical performance: Firing up

with a coffee before a workout has also been shown to improve physical performance. Caffeine improves endurance levels and resistance to fatigue and studies indicate that athletes even had a more positive exercise experience when they exercised after a cup of coffee! “With so many benefits, it’s hard not to be a coffee-lover!” says Catherine. For those who want to add even more nutrition to their favourite caffeine fix, Catherine recommends adding a collagen creamer to your morning cuppa instead of dairy. “The collagen will provide your body with even more health benefits and will help to further reduce any inflammation and leaky gut issues, ease joint pain, improve liver health and increase metabolism. The combination of coffee and collagen not only tastes great but packs a punch in keeping you in optimal health,” Catherine concludes.

ARE OUR CHILDREN SPREADING THE CORONAVIRUS? Supplied Content Are our children spreading the Coronavirus?

Children likely to be spreaders of the virus, while high risk pregnant women should consider vaccine. While there are widespread reports that children experience milder symptoms and suffer fewer complications from the coronavirus than adults, paediatricians are warning that the issue is much bigger than previously thought. “It seems that the number of children infected with the virus in South Africa is higher than what we believe it is. While it is true that children do not seem to be as adversely affected as adults by the virus, we are seeing a large number of children who are asymptomatic, and this is worrying because they could be spreading the virus,” cautions Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine,a trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond. Data suggests that children under the age of

18 years represent about 8.5% of reported cases, with relatively few deaths compared to other age groups. News reports are now suggesting that children may also be more susceptible to the new strains of the virus, without serious consequences. However, there is very limited data available on the number of children who are asymptomatic. “This is why it is important for children to practice social distancing and hand-washing, even if they do not appear ill, as they can pass the disease on to family members, or others,” says Karbanee. People aged 60 and older or with existing health conditions remain the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. That includes people with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory conditions. Dr Karbanee says that there have also been few pregnant women who have had complications as a result of the virus, and those who have had the virus have gone to have babies who have been fine.

But should pregnant women consider getting the vaccine?

“If you are a high risk patient and pregnant, I urge you to consider taking the vaccine, provided that you have discussed it with your doctor,” says Dr Karbanee, adding that high risk includes being overweight, being diabetic or having a lung disease. He says that, given the risk of complications from COVID-19 should a mom-to-be a high risk patient, the vaccine offers a relatively safe guard against the Coronavirus. “The vaccine is not a live virus-based vaccine, unlike the Polio vaccine for example. This vaccine is made from a protein extract from the virus, which, when you get exposure to it, lowers your risk of getting extreme symptoms. There have been very few side effects recorded by those who have taken the vaccine.” Karbanee says that each case should be seen on its individual merits and if pregnant women are concerned, they should discuss their worries and the possibility of getting the vaccine, with their doctor and medical team.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

CANSA AND SACRS LAUNCH COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS & SUPPORT Supplied Content

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) in partnership with The South African Colorectal Society (SACRS) launches its Colorectal Awareness and Support Programme on World Health Day, 7 April 2021. COVID-19 has led to a delay in screenings and treatment as CANSA urges all to make health a priority. #LowerCancerRisk #ColorectalCancer #ActiveBalancedLifestyle #CANSAscreening #CANSAcares Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO says, “Colorectal cancer affects men and women in South Africa significantly. It’s the 2nd most common cancer among men and the 3rd most common cancer among women (National Cancer Registry 2017). Unfortunately, colorectal cancer symptoms are not always recognised for what they are, leading to misdiagnosis and a more advanced stage of cancer. Our Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Support Programme will help people recognise the signs of colorectal cancer, increase knowledge around screening options to facilitate early detection and help lower the risk for colorectal cancer. We further hope to assist colorectal cancer patients to cope better with diagnosis and treatment by releasing support materials throughout the year, that aims to help them to better understand and access public and private health support services, pain management, stoma products and care.” CANSA and the SACRS will also advocate with policy makers for a National Colorectal Cancer Policy. The policy should promote the rights of colorectal cancer patients, guide population based screening and public health services related to risk reduction, treatment, care, support and control of

colorectal cancer. Dr Adam Boutall, head of colorectal surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital and the President of the SACRS comments, “The SACRS is looking forward to partnering with CANSA as it launches its colorectal campaign. Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, improves survival and increasing awareness and education around colorectal cancer is critical to achieving this.” CANSA Stoma Support

Many colorectal cancer patients have a portion of their bowel and / or colon removed and end up with a permanent stoma. A stoma is an opening on the abdomen that can be connected to the digestive or urinary system to allow waste to be diverted from the body. It can take a while for a patient to adapt to living with a stoma, so it’s important to seek support from CANSA. “CANSA’s stoma service has an excellent offering of stoma products, accessories and provides patient support. We recently introduced our CANSA Tele Stoma Support Service where online consultations for stoma patients and their families are offered to assist with challenges or stoma queries,” Joubert states. A stoma patient, living in a remote area, recently responded with thanks, after being assisted through the CANSA Tele Stoma Service with regards to changing the stoma bag and being given advice with regards to treatment of side effects: "You really helped me because I didn't know anything, and the consultation really helped me so much. And now I know at least how to do something and if I need help, I can ask you. Now I have a clue what to do when I have a rash."

Symptoms

It is important to contact CANSA or go to a local clinic or doctor to investigate symptoms. Symptoms of colorectal cancer might present as: a persistent change in bowel habits (including diarrhoea or constipation or a change in consistency of stools); rectal bleeding or blood in stools; persistent abdominal discomfort (cramps, gas or pain); a feeling that the bowel does not completely empty; weakness or fatigue; or unexplained weight loss. Screening

Identifying the presence of blood in the stool, can help detect colorectal cancer early. CANSA offers faecal occult at home stool test kits (R100), which can be done at home. If the test is positive (visible red line on test strip) for the presence of blood in the stool, CANSA provides a referral letter to request a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy in symptomatic patients or patients over the age of 50 can detect precancerous polyps in the colon. If these polyps are removed the chance of developing colorectal cancer can be dramatically reduced. CANSA offers an online Lifestyle Risk Assessment Tool, which helps identify lifestyle factors which could increase cancer risk, and then provides recommendations on how to change behaviour to lower cancer risk. This can also be done at CANSA Care Centres. (For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA at email lbalona@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or mobile 082 459 5230.)

Partner Content

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

SAVING THE LIVES OF SOUTH AFRICA’S ELDERLY WITH DIGITAL INNOVATION Supplied Content

South Africa’s growing elderly population (people aged 60 and over) is putting the spotlight on finding better ways to care for a demographic that numbers more than 9% of the country’s citizens. With 55% of respondents in a recent survey stating that they cannot afford to save towards retirement and living in a care facility, attention must turn to leveraging cost-effective and user-friendly technological innovations to unlock the potential for telecare. Telecare can be defined as the continuous, automatic, and remote monitoring of real-time emergencies and lifestyle changes over time to manage the risks associated with independent living. In layman’s terms it enables vulnerable, elderly, and even disabled people to live longer on their own at home through remote monitoring and emergency alarms. Of course, the amount of care required differs significantly from person

to person. Typically, this would require a caregiver to be available when it comes to the potential for accidents and other events that can happen while the elderly person is on their own. This can include everything from an accidental fall, unexpected illness resulting in being unable to get out of bed, forgetting to perform routine tasks (such as closing and locking doors), and leaving the property without any form of communication. Significantly, research has found that after road traffic injuries, falls are the leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide. It is especially the elderly who are at risk suffering the greatest number of fatal falls with more than 80% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, the high cost of full-time care makes it unaffordable for most South Africans to have a live-in caregiv-

er. Also, the limited amount of frail care facilities in the country cannot meet the high demand. This means relatives and close friends are relied on to check in on the elderly living alone at home. But if there is an emergency, these visits come too late to provide the immediate assistance required. It is especially the case for those living in rural areas where there is no immediate access to healthcare services. Up to now, those individuals could not simply press a button and have immediate help available to them. Technology making a difference In partnership with a global provider of a leading telecare and monitoring system, Vox is bringing even more innovation to its customer base that not only changes lives but saves them as well. In recent

Continued on page 18

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

SAVING THE LIVES OF SOUTH AFRICA’S ELDERLY WITH DIGITAL INNOVATION Supplied Content

years, Vox has evolved from being a connectivity provider to a company that brings solutions to market that can positively impact on South Africans from all walks of life. To this end, Vox ICE (In Case of Emergency) is a first of its kind in the country. It sees the international best practice combined with the local expertise and insights of Vox to deliver an affordable and user-friendly solution that addresses the problem of monitoring the elderly who live independently at home in a non-intrusive manner. Designed and developed by several professionals from the medical, paramedical, and social sectors, Vox ICE consists of motion sensors installed at strategic places inside the house and a wearable alert pendant. This non-invasive solution runs movement data captured by the sensors through a deep learning engine

that builds trends and events around the elderly person living on their own. Once an event outside the norm takes place, for example a fall or not locking the back door after a certain amount of time, an alert is sent to a predefined list of emergency contacts. This can either be the next of kin, a neighbour, a caregiver, a control centre (in the case of a frail care facility), or even emergency response. Essentially, Vox ICE learns the habits and behaviours of the person it monitors and flags any potential issues in real-time before they become catastrophic. As this is a life-saving solution, it has built-in battery power and relies on the Sigfox global network dedicated to the Internet of Things based on low power, long range, and small data packets. This means no existing internet connectivity is required on site as it is a completely self-contained offering with everything built in to deliver a complete

plug-and-play experience. The pendant doubles as a panic button but can also send an alert if the person moves outside a specified area. It features an accelerometer that detects rapid movements based on complex algorithms to detect when a person falls outside the home. Vox ICE is a completely modular subscription service that can be customised to the unique requirements of each individual customer. The data collected complies with local and international regulatory requirements giving people the peace of mind that their information remains safe. It is the perfect non-invasive solution that provides telecare to South Africans irrespective of their physical location. With Vox it is about saving lives and delivering innovation that solves a significant human challenge through technology.

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

Your Wellness Matters

HOW FRESH IS FROZEN? Supplied Content

There’s no denying that frozen foods are a lifesaver for quick meal solutions and come out tops from a convenience, lifespan, and waste-reduction point of view. But some may question the quality and nutritional value of frozen foods, not to mention the fear of preservatives.

preserves the vitamins and minerals in food – so all those fantastic nutrients end up on your dinner table, meaning you get a nutritional meal every time. Frozen produce is packed with nutritional value and provides the easiest way for you and your family to get your daily nutrition.

We got some insights from McCain, a leader in the frozen foods category, to dispel some of the common misconceptions when it comes to frozen vegetables and potato products.

Itʼs reliable: We all know the feeling of

Itʼs fresh: “Our produce is sustainably

sourced from local farmers, harvested at its peak and snap frozen within hours to maintain freshness and lock in nutrients,” says Catharina Bester, Marketing Manager: Foodservice & Retail at McCain. Freezing is a safe and natural way of preventing bacterial growth and enzyme activity and eliminates the need for undesirable chemical preservatives

Itʼs convenient: There’s no way around it,

frozen vegetables are a win on a busy weeknight. The cleaning and chopping have all been done for you, so all you need to do is take it out of your freezer, cook according to the on-pack instructions, and serve. It’s healthy: Contrary to popular belief, freezing causes very little nutrient loss and

reaching for some veggies in the fridge, only to find that it’s expired or heading to the shops to get a specific ingredient, and not being able to find it. By keeping your freezer stocked with frozen vegetables and potato products, you know you’ll have what you need, ready to go, when you need it.

Itʼs affordable: Frozen foods have a much

longer shelf-life than fresh produce and you only use what you need so there’s less wastage. Meaning you get more broccoli for your buck, and not to mention less frequent visits to the store.

Itʼs versatile: The meal options are end-

less - from quick snacks, tasty potato chips and wedges, stir-fries, pasta sauces and toppings and even baking. See these recipes from McCain for some fresh inspiration. You can even create your own personalised cookbook, using these recipes and your own favourites here. Just follow the easy instructions on the cookbook creator,

to compile your very own recipe book, delivered to your door. Check out McCain’s extensive range of proudly farm to freezer products, including gluten and preservative-free chips, ready-made creamed spinach, diced beetroot, Hawaiian stir fry mix and a firm kids favourite, Smiles. Follow the #MadeWithMcCain conversation on McCain Facebook or McCain Instagram or visit their website for more information. About McCain Foods

McCain Foods has been at the centre of South African mealtimes for over 20 years. As the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato and appetiser products, we supply a significant portion of the world’s restaurants and other hospitality outlets. In South Africa, we are also the market leader in Frozen Vegetables, which we supply to both Food Service and Retail customers. We manufacture fresh produce from local farmers at our production plants in Delmas, Springs as well as our processing facility in Marblehall. We are constantly developing innovative new food offerings tailor-made to the requirements of our consumers and customers.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

NEW AFRICAN BOTANICAL SKINCARE BRAND LAUNCHES IN SA Supplied Content

Responding to a growing need for trusted alternative health solutions, proudly South African health and wellness company, Feel Better Naturally™, has launched their first product in their exclusive African Botanical skincare range. After its successful launch of Afrigetics, an exclusively African herbal range made with trusted, researched and scientifically backed African medicinal herbs, Feel Better Naturally™ has now unveiled The Natural™ – a skincare brand made with clean, plant-based ingredients that are sustainably sourced from Africa. The unisex brand aims to bring restorative skincare in the way nature intended to all skin types and ages with their growing

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, your professional history before starting Feel Better Naturally.

Andrew Franks is a natural marketeer, creative and entrepreneur. He has spent the last decade helping leading organisations and brands to innovate faster and smarter. Whether via brand-led innovation, design thinking, strategy, or creative content, he builds meaningful and sustainable brands for the future. Andrew began his career at Ogilvy and has since worked for some of SA’s best agencies. After working in the UK for 2 years , he returned to Cape Town and founded the creative brand consultancy Tag 8, a team of strategic thinkers, marketing experts,

range. The Natural™ Serum is an ultra-hydrating active aloe boost with active ingredients from nature including Aloe with Vitamin C and A, Hyaluronic Acid, Devil’s Claw and Jojoba. It is a daily essential for smooth, healthy-looking skin. Rich in antioxidants, it boosts the skin’s natural age-defying defences, assists with natural collagen production and restores, nourishes, and soothes the skin.

with the regenerative potential of sustainably sourced African botanicals in the most natural and purest form. The use of Aloe in your daily skin regime is proven to promote more youthful looking skin by enhancing the activity of fibroblasts responsible for the production of collagen.

The organic skincare range is scientifically formulated in a SOIL Certified Laboratory on the COSMOS standards.

“Grown in Africa, The Natural™ is designed by nature and therefore is free from any harmful chemicals. What matters to us is skincare that is as pure, simple and natural as how you’d find it in nature,” says Andrew Franks, Founder of Feel Better Naturally™.

Following a year in product development and testing, working closely with a team of expert skincare professionals and biotechnologists, The Natural™ has been developed

The Natural™ is available online at www.thenaturalafrica.com, Faithful to Nature, as well as in-store at Wellness Warehouse and select independent stores.

project managers and creative problem solvers.

As an entrepreneur and adventurer, Andrew travelled through Africa experiencing a broad range of outdoor environments and conditions. Spending long periods exposed to the elements led him to better understand the effects on the skin and body, ultimately instilling in him the importance of protection. Over his career, Andrew discovered that a natural approach in his diet and lifestyle optimised his quality of life and performance. His personal demand for products (like paraben-free and chemical-free skincare, as well as all active ingredients sourced from nature) aligned with his natural lifestyle – all of which became a catalyst for the creation of The Natural™.

Over his 25-year career, he has helped to build many blue-chip brands; from the SOLA Group’s renewable energy efforts in Africa, to Ships for Africa with Nautic, as well as working with The Shuttleworth Foundation to inspire African youth through maths, science, and technology. The Natural Story Inspired by the natural world and the immense potential that Africa holds, Andrew recently launched Feel Better Naturally™ - a company focused on the development, distribution, and marketing of African Botanicals.

Continued on page 23

Issue 18 - April 2021 2. A serum positioned as unisex while the largest consumer of health and beauty products are females, is new what dictated this market positioning?

Though male and female skin do develop some biological differences, the best way to approach skincare is not by gender, but rather by individual skin type and the issue that an individual may need to treat (e.g., dry or oily skin). While there are some products that may be specifically formulated for a certain skin type, there isn’t any conclusive evidence to support that men and women have significantly different skincare needs. In my own experience, I realised that most of the products on the market for men really didn’t provide me with what my skin was needing. Finding natural and organic serums was even harder. Realising the need for greater options when it came to unisex skincare products, The Natural™ represent the modern consumer - clean beauty, plant-based skincare.

Your Wellness Matters

3. What is your organisationʼs philosophy?

no synthetic chemicals, parabéns or mineral oils. It is also vegan and no animal testing.

The Natural™ Philosophy: We believe in the natural way of living. A simple, healthy approach to skincare and life. It is the reason our products are made with clean, plant-based ingredients for all skin types. We bring the natural way to your daily routine with conscious, caring, and connected skincare. Our focus is on delivering pure, effective, organic formulas - safe enough for the whole family. Good for You and Mother Nature.

Our hero ingredient, aloe, is the main constituent of our product which means you can fully experience the benefits of this super-ingredient. Aloe is a super-ingredient of the botanical world - full of vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes and minerals that provide healing relief, slows signs of aging and reduces inflammation. In combination with Devils Claw and Hyaluronic Acid, our formulation soothes, hydrates, slows signs of aging, boosts natural collagen and is full of vitamins and antioxidants, yet safe to use on all skin types.

Ultimately, our number one goal is to help our customers to lead healthier, happier, more natural lives. 4. What makes your product different from similar ones?

The Natural™ is literally ‘Designed by Nature’. It is a clean, conscious, plant-based skincare product. It is 100% natural and organic, restorative skincare in the way that nature intended. This means that it contains

The Natural is scientifically formulated in Soil Certified Laboratory. We capture the power of African botanicals and the best actives natural science has to offer. Our focus is on delivering pure, effective, organic formulas at the peak of their power. Our focus is on delivering pure, effective, organic formulas - safe enough for the whole family.

SCHIZOPHRENIA DOES NOT MEAN MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES Supplied Content

Across the globe, schizophrenia is a widely misunderstood disorder with many people mistaking it for Dissociative Personality Disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder).1 While they are both serious mental disorders that share certain symptoms, multiple personalities are not a symptom of schizophrenia.2

Both disorders are uncommon While schizophrenia and Dissociative Personality Disorder are severe and often misunderstood, it’s important to remember that they aren’t very common. They each affect approximately 1% of the population and, should a person exhibit more than two of the primary symptoms described above, it is best to seek help from a healthcare professional and work on an effective treat-

ment plan.3 To learn more about schizophrenia, be sure to visit schizophrenia24x7.co.za for resources and tips on living with schizophrenia. Or, you can join an online community on Facebook, where insights, tips and resources are shared with a like-minded community. All you need to do is join the Our Mental Health on Facebook and learn more about various mental health issues.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 18 - April 2021

PSORIASIS IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP Supplied Content

People living with psoriasis face the reality of their condition at all times. Red, scaly patches on the skin, the itch that won’t go away, the stares, invasive questions and comments, and the never-ending physical pain. Living with psoriasis is more than a skin condition. This disease is a daily physical, emotional and psychological battle for one million South Africans living with this chronic disease, and can cause mental stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. On top of this, people living with psoriasis also face social stigma, as the disease is often difficult to hide. The stigma can negatively impact their mental health and can result in people living with the disease, isolating themselves. What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a serious lifelong skin condition, where the body makes new skin cells at an alarming rate, causing the cells to pile up on the skin’s surface. This causes thick, scaly lesions, called plaques. Psoriasis can affect children, as young as 15-years-old, women and men across all racial lines. And the impact of psoriasis can be devastating to other organs and tissues in the body. Many people diagnosed with psoriasis are often overweight and have higher cholesterol. These health concerns, coupled with the

severity of psoriasis, lead to an increased risk for vascular disease, causing heart attacks, strokes, and premature death, as the inflammation can harm the arteries and veins. Symptoms associated with psoriasis Although psoriasis can present on any part of the body, it is most common on the knees, elbows, lower back, scalp, legs, face, palms and the soles of the feet. Symptoms are different for everyone, and can include, • Red patches covered with thick, silvery scales • Stiff, swollen and painful joints, • Itching and burning • Dry and cracked skin. Clear skin is achievable

Although there is no cure for psoriasis, people living with this disease don’t have to suffer. Dermatologists can prescribe treatment options that can reduce or eliminate symptoms,6 bringing much-needed relief to people living with psoriasis. These treatment options can include topical treatments to help prevent the skin from becoming too dry, oral medication, light therapy, and breakthrough biologics that makes it possible for a patient to achieve clear skin. People with symptoms of psoriasis should seek medical treatment from a dermatologist who will prescribe effective treatment options. Should you need ongoing treat-

ment, enquire with your medical aid to access effective treatment to help achieve clear skin. Remember, effective psoriasis treatment can also prevent other serious health concerns like diabetes or psoriatic arthritis, and help people with the condition live a fulfilled and healthy life. People living with psoriasis should also educate themselves about this debilitating disease, recognise what triggers cause their psoriasis to flare-up, and then make lifestyle changes to avoid the triggers. The #MoreThanSkinDeep Facebook page is a valuable resource that shares information about the impact of living with psoriasis. Lastly, remember a good skincare routine and healthy lifestyle can help.