Academic programme
NOTE: THE PROGRAMME BELOW IS A DRAFT PROGRAMME AND WILL BE FINALISED WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH. PLEASE CHECK THIS SITE FOR THE UPDATED VERSION.
THEME:     “The future of healthcare in South Africa
  – how will it be provided and funded?”

The South African Constitution specifies that it is the right of every person to achieve optimal health. Thus the term “universal access” is when access to healthcare is secured for all in the population, at an affordable price. Universal access entails individuals and households sharing the financing of the total health costs and making healthcare attainable to all. Universal access is the key component in a future health system and is discussed from all angles (private, public and provider) in the congress programme below.

 
DAY 1: SATURDAY, 30 AUGUST 2008
07:30 - 8:30 Registration

 
SESSION 1: 08H30 - 10H00
THEME:     OPENING ADDRESS
FACILITATOR: Dr Aquina Thulare
08:30 – 08:45 Welcome by SAMA President - Prof Ralph Kirsch
08:45 - 09:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene, Chairman: SAMA, Dr Kgosi Letlape
09:00 - 09:45 Keynote Address, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang; Minister of Health, South Africa:
The Role of the Government in Funding and Service Provision to Achieve Universal Access
09:45 - 10:15 Tea

 
SESSION 2: 10H15 - 13H00
THEME:     INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON UNIVERSAL COVERAGE
FACILITATOR: Dr Fazel Randera
10:15 - 10:45 A Perspective from the ANC on a Future Health System for South Africa - Dr Zweli Mkhize
10:45 - 11:05 “The Right to Health”- Ethical and legal obligations of Governments for Universal Access to Healthcare - Prof Ames Dhai
11:05 -11:25 Funding and Provision of Healthcare to Achieve Universal Access, a global perspective - Prof Di McIntyre
11:25 -11:45 Funding and Provision of Healthcare in to achieve Universal Access in Developing Countries - Prof Erich Buch
12:45 -12:10 Health Policy Reform on Funding and Provision of Healthcare in SA (1994-2007) - Prof Vivian Taylor
12:10 - 13:00 Panel Discussion
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break

SESSION 3: 14H00 - 15H30
THEME:     CHALLENGES FACING FUNDING AND SERVICE PROVISION FOR THE SA HEALTH SYSTEM
FACILITATOR: Professor Denise White
14:00 - 14:30 A public health perspective to a future health system - Prof David Sanders
14:30 - 14:50 Fiscal Challenges on Funding Health System to achieve Universal Access - Dr Mark Blecher
14:50 - 15:10 Private Healthcare Funding: Challenges and Opportunities - Dr Jonathan Broomberg
15:10 - 15:50 A Private Health Service Providers Perspective on challenges in achieving Universal Access - Dr Nkaki Matlala
15:50 - 16:00 Tea Break

 
SESSION 4: 16H00 - 17H30
THEME:     COMMISSIONS
 
18:00-19:00     ADDRESS BY GUEST SPEAKER
19:00-20:00     COCKTAIL FUNCTION
 
DAY 2: SUNDAY, 31 AUGUST 2008
SESSION 5: 08H30 - 10H00
THEME:     REPORT BACK ON COMMISSIONS
FACILITATOR: Dr Trevor Terblanche
 
08:30 - 10:00 Report Back from Commissions
10:00 - 10:30 Tea

 
SESSION 6: 11H00 - 13H00
THEME:     UNIVERSAL ACCESS: A FUTURE TRAJECTORY
FACILITATOR: Prof David Sanders
11:00 - 11:30 A Labour Perspective towards achieving Universal Access - Mr Zwelinzima Vavi
11:30 - 11:50 Transitional Arrangements towards Universal Access - Dr Olive Shisana
11:50 - 12:20 Role of a Medical Doctor in a Future Health System in SA - Prof Shan Naidoo
12:20 - 13:00 PANEL DISCUSSION
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break

 
SESSION 7: 14H00 - 15H30
THEME:     UNIVERSAL ACCESS: A FUTURE TRAJECTORY
FACILITATOR: Dr Kgosi Letlape
14:00 - 14:40 Future of Healthcare in SA: How should the Health System position itself to meet the needs of the Nation - The Right to Health and Universal Coverage - Mark Heywood
14:40 - 15:00 Conference Declaration and Closing Remarks - Dr Kgosi Letlape