Change in healthcare leads to change in HASA's strategy

"Over the past few years, the healthcare landscape in South Africa has undergone substantial changes due to the evolving needs of our people," says HASA chairman Dr Nkaki Matlala. "Government has now begun a process of healthcare reform that will culminate in the introduction of a National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. To ensure that the private hospital industry continues to make a positive and meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery within the context of a reformed landscape HASA began a process of restructuring, transforming and realigning the private hospital industry's vision and role to be more in synch with this changing healthcare climate."

HASA's new brand is centred on the letter 'h' which is widely recognised as the universal symbol of hospitals, while a new payoff line - 'Advancing healthcare' - highlights its commitment to the sustained provision of quality healthcare, irrespective of the challenges facing the sector. The fresh colour palette of HASA's new brand incorporates blue, red and grey.

Public and private healthcare must work together

HASA believes it has an important role to play in helping government achieve its vision of improving healthcare delivery for all South Africans. "The increasing burden of disease, shortage of healthcare professionals and struggling infrastructure are just some of the factors stretching our healthcare services to the limit. It is essential for the public and private healthcare sectors to reconnect and work together to deliver quality healthcare to all South Africans," says Matlala.

Going forward, HASA's future focus areas include engaging proactively with all stakeholders, providing credible and quality research and building quality relationships with stakeholders.

HASA's board of directors has also been restructured in accordance with the association's realigned strategy. The board consists of nine board members representing different hospital groups and a variety of skills from economists to market and communication specialists, medical doctors and financial experts.

Matlala has been reappointed as chairman for a further two-year tenure. A new CEO, who is yet to be appointed, will play the important role of engaging with various stakeholders, particularly government.