2020 INTEGRATED REPORT

PROTECTING FRONTLINE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS At the start of the pandemic, there was a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical and support staff treating COVID-19 patients. Mindful of the fact that a significant percentage of our members are healthcare professionals, we set aside R50 million to contribute towards COVID-19 relief initiatives. We allocated a significant portion of this for the procurement of PPE, as we had identified an urgent need in some academic and public hospitals, as well as in smaller private practices. We put together COVID-19 essential starter packs, which could be requested via our website for distribution to small private practices around the country, regardless of whether the doctors and practitioners in these practices were PPS members or not. This initiativewasmade possible through partnerships with key manufacturers and organisations, including Supra Healthcare, a SAHPRA-licensed supplier. Distribution was made possible by Alpha Pharm, a national pharmacy group with a network of 700 pharmacies. Alpha Pharm made its national distribution channel available to us free of charge, making it possible for practitioners in private practice to collect their orders from branches close to them. BURSARY PROGRAMME As part of our commitment to supporting South Africa’s youth, the PPS Foundation has multiple initiatives designed to assist with learning, skills development and the creation of employment opportunities. Despite the challenges that arose during the year, we continued to enable access to tertiary education through the PPS Foundation’s Bursary Programme. The Foundation funds 60 bursaries every year and, through the related University Support Programme, provides psychosocial support for recipients. DIGITALISATION Many universities struggle to provide digital access for their students and require support from the private sector todo so. In 2020, we supported four universities with funding to facilitate digitalisation, reaching close to 200 students. ADDRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT In order to prepare young people who have completed their studies for their transition into the world of work, the PPS Foundation has offered the LEAP Work-Readiness Programme, which is now in its third year of operation. Sessions with prospective graduates are held during their final year of study and these are designed to help them become L earned, E ngaged, A ccelerated P rofessionals. The sessions include engagement on various discussion topics and offer skills training in areas pertinent to the transition from student to being an economically active member of society. Our ongoing Graduate Internship Development Programme also offers new graduates the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the financial services sector. At the end of the one- year programme, interns have the prospect of being permanently employed at PPS. PAYING IT FORWARD Finally, as it is a Public Benefit Organisation, the PPS Foundation created a donations platform to broaden its donor base. This safe and easy-to-use portal, which can be accessed at https://ppsfoundation.pps.co.za , allows members, other professionals and the public in general to donate towards the foundation’s activities. All contributions are tax-deductible. PPS DOING GOOD | 25