This Heart Awareness Month patients are being urged to take their medication as prescribed to avoid preventable deaths and hospitalisations.

According to a study published in the Journal of SA Family Practice, only 41.9%1 of heart patients are adhering to antihypertensive treatment regimes, which is extremely low when juxtaposed against the 90% adherence rate among HIV-positive patients on antiretrovirals.

After HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in South Africa with one in three people over the age of 25 suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure), which makes the diagnosis and management of the disease early on so important.

Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics – South Africa’s leading provider of cardiovascular medicine – says non-adherence to prescribed medicine regimens is a pervasive medical problem, which is costing many people their health and the healthcare system billions of rands.

“While there is much room for improvement, addressing medication non-adherence is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.”

She cites cost, complex regimes, forgetfulness, lack of understanding, and psychological factors as some common reasons for why heart patients may not be taking their hypertensive medication.

“Not taking medication as prescribed can have serious consequences, especially for individuals with cardiovascular diseases. “Non-adherence also increases the risk of hospitalisation by 10-40% and the risk of mortality by 50-80%. Other consequences may also include:

• Increased risk of heart events: Failure to take heart medications as prescribed can significantly increase the risk of heart-related events such as heart attacks, strokes, and unstable angina. Medications like angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors), antiplatelet drugs, beta-blockers and anticoagulants are often prescribed to prevent these events.
• Worsening of heart disease: Cardiovascular medications are typically prescribed to manage and stabilise heart diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and arrhythmias. Non-adherence can lead to the progression of these conditions, resulting in more severe symptoms and complications.
• Hospitalisation: Medication non-adherence can lead to exacerbations of heart conditions, which may require hospitalisation. Heart failure patients, for example, may experience fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) or other complications that necessitate urgent medical attention.
• Reduced quality of life: Uncontrolled heart disease can lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and decreased exercise tolerance. These symptoms can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
• Increased healthcare costs: Non-adherence can result in more frequent doctor visits, hospitalisations and additional medical interventions, leading to higher healthcare costs for both individuals and the healthcare system.
• Complications in other organs: CVD can impact other organs and systems in the body. For example, untreated hypertension can damage the kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. Non-adherence can exacerbate these complications.
• Increased mortality risk: Ultimately, non-adherence to heart medications can increase the risk of premature death, especially in cases of severe heart disease.

Jennings says healthcare providers play a crucial role in educating patients about the importance of their medications, discussing potential side effects and concerns, simplifying regimens when possible and exploring cost-effective options.

“As the county’s leading provider of heart medicine, we have a robust strategy in place to bring more cost-effective, combination therapies to the local market. Lessening the pill-burden for patients who need to take two or more types of medication per day in one way to improve adherence.”

“It’s important to note that while medication adherence is a critical factor, other lifestyle changes and risk factor management (e.g., diet exercise, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake) also play a crucial role in reducing hospitalisations in heart patients. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to heart disease management is essential,” she says.

Jennings concludes by referring patients to the MyDynamics platform where additional resources to manage lifestyle change can be accessed.

Whether you’re a seasoned subway surfer, or are new to the game of trams, ferries, buses and trains, navigating public transport while overseas can be daunting for anyone.

Catching public transport is a great way to save money, experience life like a local and save time when traveling abroad.

As seasoned travellers that have mastered the art of taking public transportation while overseas, we’re here to tell you that it is worth the hassle. And, with a bit of research and pre-planning, you’ll quickly realise that it is, in fact, no hassle at all.

So, grab your pen, fellow traveller, and get ready to learn. Here’s eight tips on how to navigate foreign public transportation like a local.

1. Research before you go

We cannot stress this enough: if you’re planning on utilising public transport while traveling abroad, research is key. Important things to cover include:

What types of public transport are available?
Are you looking at buses, trains, ferries or a mixture of all?

What are the running times?
Some cities have 24/7 transport, while others may stop running after midnight. Make sure to find out.

How much is it?
If you’re travelling on a strict budget, it’s worth getting an idea of how much you’ll be spending each day on transport.

What is the accessibility like?
This is important for anyone with accessibility limitations but is also worth noting to assist with packing(if you are going city to city).

Are there any stations near your accommodation?
No point planning your itinerary around public transport if you have to walk 2kms to the closest bus or train station.

How and where do you purchase tickets?
Do tickets need to be purchased online or in person at a ticket booth or station? Often there may be more ticket options available online, so have a squizz and get an idea of what you need before you arrive.

2. Give yourself plenty of time

There is nothing worse than getting flustered because you’re running late while trying to navigate a bus system in a foreign city.

Not only will you feel less stressed if something does go wrong, but you’ll have more time to enjoy the journey along the way.

This tip is especially important if you’re heading to the airport, or somewhere that is on a strict schedule.

3. Use Google Maps or Citymapper

Most major cities have integrated the public transportation system with Google Maps, meaning you can type in your destination and it will provide the easiest and fastest route in a matter of seconds.

Citymapper is another fantastic app that provides real time updates on wheelchair accessible routes for more than 100 cities across Europe, Northern USA and Asia. The app is simple to use and will help take the hassle out of public transport.

If, for whatever reason, the public transport system you’re visiting isn’t represented on the apps, Google Maps or another similar app is still a great way to navigate a foreign city and stay safe without having to understand the local language.

A few extra tips if you are relying on your phones maps:

• Download the Google Map to your phone, make sure you can access it offline.
• Star your accommodation and any important landmarks for quick reference.
• Consider carrying a hard copy of the public transit map and writing down your accommodation address in case your phone dies.

4. Get your head around tickets

When it comes to tickets, there are a few things to consider.

1. How long will you be there? Will a single day ticket do the trick? Do they have tourist or weekly pass that suits you? Can you just tap your Visa or Mastercard to get on and off?
2. Is the public transportation system interconnected, or do you require different tickets for different modes and trips? E.g., you may require a pass for metro and paper tickets for the bus.
3. How many zones will you be travelling through? Will your ticket cover all of them?
4. Does your ticket need to be validated, tapped or scanned by anyone?
5. Do you need small change on hand to purchase tickets in person, or is card accepted?

A simple browse online should help answer all of these questions and more, helping you save money, time and stress at the ticket machine or stations.

5. Stay safe

When you’re in a new city scurrying through the subway system in a rush to get your train, it’s easy to become complacent and forget about your safety. With this in mind, here are some simple ways to look after your wellbeing and stay safe while catching public transit in a foreign destination:

Be vigilant, stay alert and pay attention. Noise cancelling earphones probably aren’t the best accessory while you’re trying to navigate a new transit map.

Count how many stops there are until you need to get off, that way you don’t have to rely on announcements or signs in foreign languages.

Above all else, use common sense and trust your instincts. Safety should always come first.

6. Wise up on etiquette

Public transport etiquette changes with each country and culture. Avoid offending locals or getting a fine by paying attention to etiquette cues and signs. For example:

• Watch for social cues. What side of the escalators should you ride? Where should you stand?
• In most countries younger/more able people should give up seats for the elderly or those living with a disability.
• It may be illegal to eat, drink, vape or smoke while on public transport.

7. Have a backup plan

If in doubt, have a backup plan in case you get stuck, there is a schedule change, or the transport just doesn’t arrive. Know the number for a taxi or download a rideshare app like Uber.

8. Visit the bathroom before you leave

No, seriously. No one likes navigating public transport when you’re busting to go to the loo.

JOHANNESBURG, 7 September – Inflation has not only shaken global economies but has fundamentally altered the landscape of business travel. Remember the good old days of lounging in comfy business lounges and enjoying lavish dinners on the company without batting an eye? Well, times have changed.

Those on the ground say sky-high ticket prices and tighter company wallets can sometimes make business trips feel more like boot camp than a perk. Business travellers are pinching pennies and facing more pressure to make the trip worth every cent. The fluctuating Rand hasn’t helped – daily travel allowances barely cover the basics. And you know what they say about all work and no play – it’s making these trips much less glamorous and more grind.

The change is palpable, according to the SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey. Business travellers have reported significant budget cuts (40 percent), a surge in reduced overnight trips (32 percent), and a noticeable dip in the quality of accommodations (31 percent). Moreover, the relentless hunt for cheaper fares has been felt by 31 percent of those surveyed.

Understandably, flights were some of the first to come under budget scrutiny. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) reported that the average ticket price for business-related airfares rose 72% in 2022. The numbers give a sense of the situation, but what’s the reality for a business traveller trying to balance business goals with personal comfort?

Any frequent flyer will agree that business trips can be a hectic whirlwind of meetings and deadlines. But when you have to pick a cheaper, less convenient flight? Crazy early mornings or late nights, long layovers, or having to bounce between multiple airports get added to your workload.

Instead of saving energy for the big meeting, you’re left dealing with jet lag and travel fatigue. And the time you could’ve spent prepping or chilling? Wasted on navigating the extra travel hassle. Add to this – the discomfort of spending layovers on an airport bench because you’ve dropped from silver to bronze, and the benefits that took some of the heavy lifting out of travel have vanished.

Companies are also making sure they get a bang for their buck. Instead of a one-day business trip with a single meeting, travellers now find their itineraries packed. Multiple appointments, visits, reviews, and the odd networking dinner thrown in. The rationale? If we’re spending so much to get you there, we might as well make the most of it. The result? The Q2 2023 Quarterly Trends Report shows corporations are travelling, on average, 20% less than 2019.  The unintended benefit – it’s better for the environment to batch meetings.

It’s a brave new world out there for the business traveller – and it’s forcing many who hold the purse strings to reconsider and revise their travel strategies and policies. Bonnie Smith, GM Corporate Traveller, says that now is the right time to take a strategic rather than reactive approach to business travel budgeting.

“TMCs are on the pulse of the travel industry,” says Smith. By joining forces with a company’s administrative team, a TMC can devise a monthly travel budget perfectly suited to an organisation’s specific needs. “Their extensive network and know-how can unlock global deals, allowing travellers to enjoy perks without the premium of business class flights,” Smith adds.

The expertise TMCs bring to the table can also help recalibrate the company’s travel policy – and help to set some ground rules. “It’s all about letting the team enjoy their trips without blowing the budget,” she explains.

Smith explains there are simple and easy ways to take some of the ‘grunt work’ out of business travel:

Special rates and perks: With global industry ties from a TMC like Corporate Traveller, travellers don’t need to hunt for the best deals. They automatically get competitive rates, plus perks like lounge access or upgrades.

24/7 support and safety: Travellers can skip the stress of problem-solving during hiccups. With round-the-clock support, any issue, big or small, gets addressed without the traveller having to handle it all.

Feedback and updates: A TMC will keep the company’s travel policy fresh so travellers always have a streamlined experience. Regular tweaks based on feedback mean travellers spend less time voicing concerns and more time enjoying seamless journeys.

Easy expense management: Thanks to tech and tools, travellers don’t have to dread the post-trip paperwork. Simplified expense tracking means less time documenting and more time focusing on the trip’s purpose.

“While all businesses need to have an eye on expenses, it’s equally important to provide teams with the necessary resources and flexibility when they’re on the road. After all, their success during these trips is directly linked to our overall success as an organisation,” adds Smith.

“Overly tight travel rules can demotivate top performers. They need both freedom and the right tools to excel. Balancing costs with travellers’ genuine needs is the key to reaping the full return on investment of business travel,” Smith concludes.

About Corporate Traveller

Corporate Traveller is a division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, dedicated to saving businesses across Southern Africa time and money. Corporate Traveller has the benefit of being part of the world’s third-largest travel retailer, leveraging its global negotiating strength. It has access to over 50 of the world’s leading airlines and deals with more than 100 000 hotels around the world to guarantee savings for clients. Corporate Traveller provides clear, consolidated reporting of all its clients’ travel activities, helping them to control travel spend and identify opportunities to save costs.