GEMS appoints new principal officer

Zava Colbert Rikhotso, Chairperson of the GEMS Board, said he welcomes Goolab's appointment to leading the GEMS executive management team. "Dr Goolab has extensive executive experience having led a multinational healthcare company for about a decade and he has extensive public and private healthcare background spanning close on three decades. His skill and experience will play an invaluable role in ensuring GEMS retains its status as a top medical scheme in South Africa".

Goolab is a qualified medical practitioner, who graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 1985 and later completed an MBA with the University of Cape Town.

Goolab commenced his career as an intern at the former Baragwanath Hospital (Now Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital) in 1986 where he also occupied the position of senior house officer in the department of paediatrics.

He has worked as a senior executive within the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as CEO of South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa of Astra-zeneca. Prior to occupying the position of CEO, Goolab spent several years with Novartis South Africa and Sandoz Products.

During his career, Goolab has been extensively involved in the South African healthcare industry. In recognition of the pivotal role he played in the industry, he was appointed president of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of South Africa (PIASA) from 2004 to 2006.

Other prominent roles played by Goolab within the private healthcare sector include his participation in the BEE Working Group of PIASA. He is a past executive member of the Private Health Forum (PHF).