The conference went off without a hitch – even though Netcare CEO Richard Friedland’s suggestions on how to mobilise financial resources to make NHI more achievable – “Viable and Near-Term Opportunities to Providing Enhanced Healthcare in South Africa” – may not have been warmly received by the incumbent Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
There were many highlights in the programme – one of them being a talk by Craig Rosewarne, the MD of Wolfpack Information Risk – a specialist firm established in 2011 that assists countries, companies and communities to defend against cyber threats. His talk had delegates riveted to their seats learning how cunning and able cybercriminals are becoming in scamming and stealing from internet users.
There were several sessions that considered pragmatic steps to address inequity and improve healthcare access from different perspectives – from the view of primary care, dialysis, cancer care (a hugely informative address by health activist, Mark Heywood) and from the viewpoint of human resources for health.
Dr Melanie Stander, General Manager of Clinical Services for Mediclinic moderated a fascinating panel discussion “The Voice of the Patient” which exposed weaknesses in hearing the patient’s voice and a way forward for multidisciplinary groups in the healing process.
It was an important, informative and sobering conference: watch out for the one in 2025.
CEO of COHSASA, Jacqui Stewart at our stand at the HASA 2024 Conference sporting the new corporate look.
An audience at the Sandton Conference Centre listen to a panel discussion on the “Voice of the Patient”.
Delegates interact at the exhibition at the HASA conference at the Sandton Conference Centre.
Day One and Day Two of the conference were pleasantly interrupted by a night out at Katy’s Palace Bar. The entertainment was superb like this violinist in a harness hanging from the ceiling wowing the crowd.