Over the past four years, the flaws in South Africa's healthcare system, which fails to adequately serve all patients regardless of their location, have been starkly revealed. As people were confined to their homes and healthcare services transitioned online, the existing healthcare disparities became more apparent. Telehealth and virtual medical visits, which became standard for many, did not extend to the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Connectivity and healthcare in South Africa are intertwined, with advancements in telecommunications and digital technology playing a crucial role in improving healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes. In South Africa, the intersection of healthcare and connectivity is crucial for improving access to medical services and enhancing overall public health outcomes.
Connectivity also plays a significant role in the success and implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme in the country. By leveraging connectivity, the NHI program can overcome geographical barriers, improve access to specialist care, and enhance the overall quality of healthcare services. Therefore, the intersection of NHI and connectivity in South Africa is essential for realizing the vision of universal healthcare coverage and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all citizens.
The upcoming Public Sector ICT Forum, themed "Connecting the forgotten," will shed light on how the public health system can utilise existing and emerging systems to engage and connect citizens who are often overlooked. Through real-world case studies and scenarios applicable across departments and industries, participants will gain insights into leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps and improve outcomes for all.
Why should you attend?
Explore the crucial role of connectivity in healthcare
Learn about the intersection of connectivity and the NHI Programme
Explore real-world case studies and scenarios applicable across departments and industries
Gain valuable insights into leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps and improve outcomes for all citizens
Exclusive networking with industry peers and leaders
Agenda
Welcome and introduction from the MC's
Rodney de Koch', board advisor, business coach, sales strategist (SaaS) & digital evangelist
Kinder Modisha, Director, LiveWell Heath
Keynote address: Transforming healthcare through digital transformation
- Explore how digital transformation can revolutionise healthcare delivery, enhancing patient care experiences and outcomes.
- Discuss the integration of innovative digital technologies to streamline administrative processes and improve operational efficiency within healthcare systems.
- Examine the potential of digital transformation to foster collaboration among healthcare stakeholders, ultimately driving better health outcomes and patient-centric care
Case-study: Achieving access for all
Faith Burn, chief information officer, Eskom Holdings
- Examine the technical aspects of the connectivity project, including network infrastructure, bandwidth allocation, and security measures, to ensure reliable and secure connectivity.
- Evaluate the socioeconomic benefits of the connectivity project for the local community.
- Identify challenges encountered during the implementation of the connectivity project and discuss strategies for overcoming them.
Health check: Unveiling the pulse of South Africa's health sector
Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Group CIO, Council of Medical Schemes
- Gain insight into current trends with a comprehensive understanding of the state of the health sector in South Africa.
- Explore areas within the healthcare system highlighted by the report that require attention or improvement, fostering dialogue on potential strategies for enhancement.
- Acquire actionable insights and data-driven recommendations from expert analysis
Panel discussion: Addressing the challenges and opportunities in healthcare connectivity
Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Group CIO, Council of Medical Schemes
Russel Rensburg, director, Rural Health Advocacy Project
Vukosi Sambo, executive- head of data insights, AI & workforce management, Medscheme
Rodney de Koch', board advisor, business coach, sales strategist (SaaS) & digital evangelist
Kinder Modisha, Director, LiveWell Heath
Wayne Janneker, Portfolio Executive of Healthcare, BCX
- Identify key challenges hindering effective healthcare connectivity, including interoperability issues and infrastructure limitations.
- Explore opportunities for leveraging technology and partnerships to improve data exchange, enhance telemedicine capabilities, and expand access to healthcare services.
- Discuss strategies for capacity building, market unlocking, and policy development to maximize the potential of healthcare connectivity and address disparities in healthcare delivery.
Group presentations
- Participants submit ICT challenges they face in healthcare into a bowl.
- Challenges are randomly selected and distributed among small groups at different tables.
- Each group discusses the challenge assigned to them, explores potential solutions, and prepares to present their findings.
Closing remarks
Rodney de Koch', board advisor, business coach, sales strategist (SaaS) & digital evangelist
Kinder Modisha, Director, LiveWell Heath
Who should attend?
Connecting the forgotten is free to attend for any senior-level public ICT decision-makers including – but not limited to:
CIO; GITO; DG/DDG focused on ICT strategy within your municipality, government department (national or provincial level) or at a parastatal; CTO; CEO
Event Sponsor
About BCX
At BCX, we pride ourselves on being one of the leading South African end-to-end digital partners for corporates and enterprises across the African continent, within the Private and Public Sector. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Telkom Group, we aim to become the number 1 digital partner of choice for clients within our chosen markets.
BCX drives business results by helping our clients place their customer at the heart of their organisations. Enabled by our technological capabilities such as converged communications, cloud services, industry solutions, cyber security and digital edge, BCX will innovate solutions to deliver exceptional value through better experiences along the value chain.
To do this we combine local market understanding and deep industry expertise with some of the world’s most advanced Information and Communication Technology, together with a tireless commitment to make your unique digital journey as seamless as possible.
For more information, please visit www.bcx.co.za
