The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Office in South Africa and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research recently convened an expert policy stakeholders’ roundtable session in Pretoria, to examine how major international trends are reshaping health systems and what this means for a global, as well as South Africa’s, future.
Delegates included senior officials from the National Department of Health, national and international health leaders, global experts and researchers from academic institutions.
Opening the session, Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO Country Representative SA, said it was an opportunity for national and international health experts to assess what was unfolding in global health, and reflect on what this meant for health systems.
Dr Aquina Thulare, technical adviser on National Health Insurance (NHI), from the National Department of Health, called for a shift from commitments to practical resilience: “As we move beyond high level declarations and commitments, we need to ensure that our health systems can withstand global shocks while prioritising climate resilient infrastructure and digital health sovereignty.”
Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, executive director at the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, said the discussion was designed to create space for open reflection in a fast-changing world.
He underlined that Health Systems 2050 is less about forecasting and more about helping countries prepare for different possible futures, recognising that the choices made today can shape what is possible years from now.
An interactive discussion focused on three core questions: which trends are already affecting South Africa’s health system, what changes stakeholders are planning for over the next decade, and how global planning for 2035 could shape longer-term visions for health outcomes and equity.
Participants examined risks and opportunities arising from climate and environmental pressures, rapid technological and medical advances, shifting disease patterns, and persistent workforce challenges. They also reflected on the actions needed to ensure future reforms strengthened inclusivity rather than widening gaps in access and outcomes.
Dr Hajime Inoue, adviser for International Affairs to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, highlighted issues facing high-income settings such as ageing populations, and the universal health coverage (UHC) agenda.
Dr Karina Rando, Dean, School of Public Health, Universidad de la Empresa, brought experience on integrated approach to the delivery of UHC and a single payer system for its health insurance scheme while ensuring that inequities are addressed from Uruguay, and Dr Keith Cloete, head of department, Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness, shared learnings from Health System 2030 and perspectives from the Western Cape.
WHO article – Health Systems 2050 roundtable explores South Africa’s future readiness
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Cancer deaths to top 18m in 2050 – The Lancet
AMR could overtake cancer as top disease killer by 2050
Pan-African group launches plan for brain health of ageing citizens