KPMG conference on healthcare in Africa proves beneficial

Emerging economies around the world are focussed on innovation and developing new business models for this sector, with governments in Africa working towards universal health coverage for their populations.

Lord Nigel Crisp, KPMG global advisor in healthcare, says, "Healthcare is facing enormous and complex challenges everywhere in the world. Throughout Africa, governments and health leaders are working to provide healthcare for their whole populations. Africa can learn from the best practices of business and healthcare delivery that have been successful in other emerging markets, such as India and Brazil, but also has something to teach others as it develops its own systems

The conference titled 'Something to teach, something to learn: Delivering safe and effective care at low cost' created a forum to learn, exchange ideas and share examples of new practices that have worked in different countries. By incorporating high-profile speakers and a series of dynamic working sessions, coupled with the sharing of knowledge applicable to low cost models of healthcare that have been successfully implemented across the world, this conference has given rise to new thinking, ideas and opportunities to transform healthcare services in Africa.

Life expectancy impacts GDP

A previous research piece by KPMG, entitled 'Funding NHI: A spoonful of sugar?', demonstrated that the average life expectancy and health of a country's population has a direct impact on that country's competitiveness, economic activities and ultimately its ability to grow their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"It's encouraging to see public and private parties, alike, talking about the changes that are needed in the healthcare sector. However, to truly invest in the population and improve their quality of life and life expectancy, rapid transformation in the sector is needed," says Sven Byl, head of healthcare and life sciences in Africa at KPMG.

"I always tell people that even if I only had one dollar to invest, I would invest it in healthcare. In Africa, there are many opportunities and, from the level of engagement over our conference, there is a clear appetite to invest in Africa.

"Across the world, the current models of healthcare cannot deliver the care we need, at the price we can afford. Our conference challenged the insurers, providers and governments to take on the challenge of delivering new models of low cost delivery," concludes Byl.

Prof Nigel Edwards, global director in healthcare for KPMG, added, "Experience in other markets is that incumbent providers find it hard to deliver the innovation required - this innovation includes; redesigning the workflow, helping patients take care of their own care, investing in technology and mobile information."

More research, results to come

In preparation for this conference, the consultancy had conducted extensive research, at an international level, on new models with a keen focus into innovative practices of low cost models of healthcare. These findings, as well as the results of the working sessions from the conference, will be drafted into a congruent piece of thought leadership on the delivery of low cost, high quality care. This piece will be made available publicly in the months to follow, where the consultancy looks to continue pushing these conversations forward on a global scale.

For more information, go to www.kpmg.com/za/en/industry/healthcare/pages/default.aspx.