By Isidore Kpotufe, CEO, Rivia
In Ghana and across much of Africa, we are at a tipping point. The informal sector dominates employment. Out-of-pocket spending accounts for more than half of total healthcare expenditure. And the majority of businesses—small or large—do not have a coherent strategy to support the health of their teams. The result? Lower productivity, poor retention, high absenteeism, and missed economic potential.
At Rivia, we’ve spent years working at the intersection of health, technology, and community. Our recent 2024 Healthcare Access & Attitudes Survey revealed a simple but powerful truth: over 70% of respondents say they would prefer to work for an employer that offers some form of healthcare support. And yet, fewer than 15% actually receive it.
The message is clear—healthcare isn’t just a social good, it’s a competitive advantage. The employers who act on this will win.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Health in the Workplace
In most companies, health-related costs are either invisible or ignored—until they’re too big to manage. Missed deadlines, presenteeism (being at work but underperforming), and medical emergencies disrupt operations in ways businesses rarely account for.
But we should. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), workplace absenteeism in Africa accounts for billions in lost productivity annually. When staff don’t have access to timely care—when chronic conditions go unmanaged or maternal care is delayed—it’s the business that pays, indirectly or otherwise.
Why Businesses Must Build a Healthcare Strategy
Healthcare isn’t just about paying hospital bills or offering insurance. It’s about building a proactive strategy that protects your team and your bottom line. Here’s what that looks like:
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Access to primary care: Most health issues can be resolved early and cheaply—but only if people seek help early. Giving your team access to basic outpatient care can prevent 80% of workplace health disruptions.
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Preventive services and education: Health screenings, maternal care, diabetes and hypertension monitoring—these services save lives and costs in the long run.
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Partnerships that scale: You don’t need to build a hospital to support your team. Emerging healthcare networks like Rivia allow companies to plug into ready-built systems that combine virtual and in-person care, affordable plans, and centralized medical records.
What’s In It for the Business?
Let’s be honest—CEOs and business owners don’t need another “feel good” CSR pitch. What they need is ROI. So here it is:
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Lower absenteeism: Healthy employees show up and perform.
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Higher retention: People stay where they feel seen and supported.
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Better employer brand: In today’s labor market, offering healthcare benefits makes you more attractive to top talent.
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Reduced emergency costs: Preventing one emergency admission can save a business more than a year’s worth of outpatient care.
