This notice serves to guide practitioners registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) who have acquired, or intend to acquire, shares or other financial interests in health establishments.
Rule 23A regulates the circumstances under which a practitioner may hold shares or a financial interest in a health establishment (e.g., hospitals, clinics, day hospitals, or related facilities) and states that: A practitioner may have a direct or indirect financial interest or shares in a hospital or any other healthcare institution provided that the purchase agreement is approved by Council based on the criteria listed in paragraphs (a) to (f) and upon approval being confirmed, such practitioner annually submit a report to Council with the supporting information and documents stipulated in Rule 23A (h).
We have noticed with concern that practitioners have acquired shares without seeking prior approval from the HPCSA in violation of the above, and proceed to submit annual reports. Rule 23A requires that practitioners seek prior approval to acquire shares or any form of financial interests. We are encouraging all practitioners who did not get prior approval to declare in order to get approval and comply with the rules.
Kindly note that annual reports for approved shareholding and financial interest are due on or before 31 March each year, post approval, and declarations (new applications for approval) can be submitted at any time of the year, as there is no due date for this. What was due by 31 March 2026 are annual reports for shareholding and financial interests, which were already declared and approved by Council. Practitioners are urged to submit their declarations for approval and annual reports via the HPCSA Online Portal Link: https://hpcsaonline.custhelp.com/app/home.
If the facility or hospital concerned is not on the list on the system when you submit, please reach out to professionalpractice@hpcsa.co.za with the facility/hospital’s name, telephone number, physical address, contact person, and email address, state it is for Rule 23A and we will then add it to the system within three working days.
Last Updated on 17 April 2026 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs