Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Doctor joins programme to uplift women
FOR Rivka Hoosain, it’s about giving back to the community and improving the quality of her service.
The medical doctor has been selected by DreamGirls Academy, an implementing partner of the US Embassy’s Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), to join the AWE DreamBuilder Programme.
The community training programme equips women with practical skills needed to create sustainable and investable businesses.
It provides education resources, fosters networks that support access to funding and mentorship, and connects women through other programmes.
The programme was started in August and is being run in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Durban.
“From this experience, I would like to turn my practice into a hospital. They are assisting me in terms of how to go about it,” Hoosain said. “During the sessions I have attended, I’ve learnt a lot about customer service, competition and marketing. Before I opened the practice I didn’t look at how many doctors were in the area.
“The interesting thing is that I probably want to change my practice into something that addresses the type of patients that we see, where culture could influence (them). Culture would come in where I would bring in traditional healers.”
In June, the Kuils River resident opened her practice in Malibu Village in Blue Downs. Her sister, Dr Shanaaz Hoosain, a social worker registered with the SA Council for Social Service Professions, assists her at the practice.
“To have your own practice is a lot of responsibility. However, it has given me the flexibility to assist the community. We as health care practitioners can make the biggest impact on people who need help. It has been a challenge but also rewarding in terms of personal growth,” she said.
Five years ago, Hoosain began doing non-profit work in the community, where the only option for ill people without financial resources is to go to day hospitals.
She has run free clinics in Heideveld, Mitchells Plain, Kleinvlei and at her practice in Malibu Village.
The former Garlandale Secondary School pupil also runs life-skills programmes for men and boys in Tafelsig in Mitchells Plain.
“I have free time available, which I thought I can put to good use by doing some pro bono work. The patients who come and see me are usually those who can’t afford to see a doctor. You see people’s appreciation for what you are doing and that is what keeps me going. It (pro bono work) is an essential part of my practice,” she said.
Her help for the needy has not gone unnoticed. Last year, The Young Independents and Independent Media Group chose her as one of Africa’s Top 100 Young Leaders in the Leader in Health category. She also won awards from Lead SA.
“Recently, I had a patient whose arm was quite swollen. I needed to refer her to one of the trauma units because of how sick she was. She stood here blessing my practice as she was walking out. When patients who don’t have much come in and look for assistance and bless you with words, it is special. A few days later she and her husband came to say thank you.”