The Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) has called for unity of purpose and collaboration between the private sector and government in the country’s approach to universal access to healthcare.

HASA is hosting a two-day annual conference in Johannesburg under the theme; “Innovation and the Future of Healthcare Provision.”

The organisation has taken government to court over the National Health Insurance (NHI), maintaining that in its current form, the policy is neither sustainable nor affordable.

Talks at the conference are also centered around efficient leadership and the use of technology in transforming the healthcare sector.

“Our forecast, like I said, a little earlier, is, what does this all mean to the patient? Our next steps, and what should be done, is going to be defined by that. We are now seeking to get closer to other stakeholders and reach out to government and see, how do we all contribute towards the achievement of the goals of universal health access. So, the way forward really, is for all of us to look at what matters. What is the whole point of healthcare and this reform? It is for the benefit of the patient and that’s what we focus on, as private hospitals,” says Dumisani Bomela, HASA CEO.

Video: HASA Annual Conference | Shaping the country’s health system with HASA’s Melanie da Costa