New HASA CEO, Dr Dumisani Bomela

Bomela has extensive experience in working in both the public and private health sectors, as well as the professional sector in the areas of clinical service, management and policy analysis.

"HASA represents over 90% of private hospitals in South Africa and has recently undergone an operational restructuring and realigned its strategy and brand," says HASA chairman, Dr Nkaki Matlala. "Appointing a new CEO that will help us to lead the industry, represent members' as well as the industry's interests as well as serve patients by promoting quality care and patient safety was integral to this process."

Bomela adds: "Healthcare is at a critical juncture in this country and I look forward to contributing to the process of transformation and realigning the private hospital industry's vision and role to be in line with this changing healthcare climate."

Bomela's professional career started in the early 1990s, in the Eastern Cape, where he worked as a clinician in both the public and private sectors. He then worked in the mining industry, heading the health operations for a De Beers mine including a private hospital, primary healthcare centre, wellness centre, and a large occupational health centre.

In early 2007, he joined the South African Medical Association (SAMA) as head of Health Policy and Public Affairs and also acted as head of the Private Practice unit. During this period Dr Bomela authored discussion papers on many key policy issues such as National Health Insurance, Task Shifting, Retention of Health Professionals and Medical Male Circumcision.

From the beginning of this year, Bomela has been using his expertise in the corporate and private healthcare sector and from June has also been serving as the Chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Health Technology.