Free one-day medical camps miss true CSR goals

As the business environment changes, corporate bodies are becoming more pressured to show they are doing more besides the known profit motive. Many are engaging in activities aimed at benefiting society.

These Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities may be genuine while some are only done for publicity.

Though the intentions are good sometimes the impact isn’t felt, especially in healthcare.

For those opting for a medical activity, the most popular engagement is medical camps. Some people are skeptical about their outcomes. Partly because of the huge amount of money spent (usually within a few hours or days).

Health economists have always argued for and against free health. In fact, that is the single reason a fee is levied even in government facilities; to reduce frivolous demand. A good number of those attending these camps may not necessarily be sick but attend just because it is free.

A company can run a medical camp to a remote area, do a two-week pre-event publicity, recruit and transport them to the venue.

The CSR ends in a few hours or days.

Would the money have been spent better and on a longer duration in the same area? Would this have benefited more people?

This is given by the fact that sickness isn’t static, but recurs. As such is it economical to spend Sh1 million in one day or hire a medical worker to be based there for a whole year?

Others too question whether these cash- based CSR activities are more helpful as opposed to “skills sharing” CSRs.

After all the latter just like the “teaching a man to fish” allegory would be better. So, is it better for a courier firm to donate a vehicle to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) or second a logistics expert to mentor Kemsa staff?

I find the latter CSR variant better. In this case, the logistics experts offer to share their experience with a public institution.

This isn’t in terms of cash but its impact is more superior. Likewise, accounting firms supporting hospitals in planning and managing funds.

Such a good example exists in a leading local financial university which has partnered up with a public hospital in one of its grant-funded projects to offer financial and management advice.

The former imparts knowledge (which is its goal) while the latter gains from it and successfully runs the project. This will keep funding taps flowing and benefit a community.

An upcoming concept is that of “adoption.”

A company picks up a health institution or medical school and supports it for years until it is able to run on its own. If you have 500 employees, instead of having a company clinic, you improve the nearest government dispensary and hire a doctor.

That way, the community and your staff benefit while lowering an organisation’s medical insurance bills.

www.healthinfo.co.ke