The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) held its first-ever National Conference from 18 – 20 August 2019 at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
The theme for the Conference was “Regulating the Health Professionals in the 21st Century” with a focus on the role of the regulator in Universal Health Coverage as well as initiating a discourse on the Regulators’ contribution towards advocating for good health and well-being.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize graced the occasion and delivered the Opening Address on Sunday, 18 August 2019. The Minister of Health congratulated and applauded the HPCSA on a successful Inaugural Conference. “I have no doubt that a Conference of this nature was born out of a need for regulators and their stakeholders to reflect together on the current status of the health regulation and its relevance in a future where universal health coverage will be the order of health care delivery”, said Dr Zweli Mkhize.
The Conference provided an opportunity for delegates across all health sectors, health regulators, academics and other stakeholders to engage on health regulatory matters, including the shifting global and local healthcare trends.
Conference delegates engaged on the outcomes of the Health Market Inquiry, the 2018 Presidential Health Summit, as well as creating awareness with our stakeholders on the HPCSA mandate. The aim was to receive valuable inputs on the future role of the Regulator, which will be used to rebrand the HPCSA as one of the leading health regulators in the country and abroad.
Speakers at the Conference included renowned and prominent members within the health fraternity – including the Deputy Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr Joe Phaahla; the Director-General in the National Department of Health, Ms Precious Matsoso; Prof Khama Rogo, the Lead Health Sector Specialist with the World Bank and Head of the World Bank Group’s Health in Africa Initiative. Panel members included the former MEC of Health in Gauteng, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa; Dr Sath Cooper; the Health Ombudsman, Prof Magalepuru William Makgoba and Mr. Tebogo Malatji of Malatji Kanyane Inc to mention but a few.
The highlights of the Conference were the Conference Statement of Commitment and the launch of the HPCSA Ethical Guidelines on Social Media Policy and Palliative Care Guidelines.
Last Updated on 10 September 2019 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs