COHSASA plays a role in largest healthcare conference in Africa

COHSASA Quality Advisor and Surveyor, Chris Bloem, speaks to potential clients (left) and above, COHSASA CEO, Jacqui Stewart, found time to meet colleagues from other countries during the exhibition.

Not only did COHSASA participate in the exhibition but COHSASA supported and CEO, Jacqui Stewart, chaired the Quality Management Conference for an audience of around 350 in the auditorium.

This was one of 13 conference tracks accredited by the University of Johannesburg. The subjects covered the business case for quality, insights on sustaining quality in public and private healthcare sectors, reviewing strategies for developing a quality programme and assessing quality initiatives in both public and private sectors.

Conference Chair, CEO of COHSASA Jacqui Stewart (left), said that the conference had highlighted the importance of learning from each other in Africa.

Ms Stewart had speakers from all over the African continent well qualified to explore the learning objectives. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, the Executive Director and Head: Africa Region, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Accra, Ghana. Other speakers were:

• Shivani Ranchod, Healthcare Actuary and Head: Public Sector Practice, Insight Actuaries and Consultants, Cape Town;
  
• Dr Gareth Kantor, Co-Founder of Best Care Always, Cape Town, South Africa;
  
• Lauren de Kock, Technical Director: Quality Implementation and Training, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg;
  
• Millicent Olulo, Program Director, SafeCare, Nairobi, Kenya;
  
• Jackie Nabukeera, Manager Clinical Services and Quality Assurance, International Hospital(IHK), Kampala, Uganda;
  
• Baile Moagi, Director Health Inspectorate, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
  
• Elom Otchi, Healthcare Quality and Safety Expert, QI Manager, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
  
• Rolene Wagner, CEO of Frere Provincial Hospital, East London, SA.

The conference was wrapped up with a panel discussion on African solutions to sustaining quality improvement.

The speakers’ panel answered questions posed by Dr Gareth Kantor, Co-Founder of Best Care Always. From left: Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Executive Director and Head: Africa Region Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Accra, Ghana (also pictured on the right), Dr Rolene Wagner, CEO of Frere Provincial Hospital, East London, SA and Millicent Olulo, Program Director, SafeCare, Nairobi, Kenya.

“One of the highlight learning experiences of the day was that there are excellent quality initiatives being implemented across the continent and a great willingness to share knowledge and expertise,” said Jacqui Stewart after the conference.

The packed auditorium at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

SAVE THE DATE: The next Africa Health will be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in the Midrand 29 - 31 May 2018.