S4, Ep.5 What does a helicopter have to do with emergency heart surgery?

Imagine a world where quality healthcare services are available to all, and where technology enables and enhances access. Where those living in rural areas can access the same healthcare services as those in urban areas. SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service Trust (AMS), a non-profit aero-medical rescue organisation working in partnership with the Provincial Departments of Health in South Africa, is playing its part to make this a reality.

This episode explores bringing healthcare to those most affected by geographic and economic disparities with the CEO of AMS, Farhaad Haffajee. Amongst other things, AMS runs a project called Outreach Healthcare to remote rural communities, taking health expertise to rural areas so that those seeking healthcare are diagnosed earlier and receive proper healthcare sooner. We also hear from Francesca Lanzarotti of the Reach Alliance research team that is investigating maternal healthcare and access for women with disabilities in Nepal. These everyday heroes are changing the landscape of healthcare and access for some of the most vulnerable communities both locally and globally.

The Bertha Centre is the first specialised centre in Africa dedicated to advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship and focuses on researching, educating, convening, catalysing and advocating for social, environmental and economic justice. Find out more at https://gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za/. This podcast is produced by 2stories in collaboration with the Bertha Centre, UCT Graduate School of Business, and the Bertha Foundation.