Africa Health 2024 heads to Cape Town, spotlight on the future of healthcareAfrica Health 2024 heads to Cape Town, spotlight on the future of healthcare

The annual Africa Health Congress has become a dynamic hub for healthcare innovation and thought leadership across the continent. Now, in a significant shift, Africa Health 2024 is set to be hosted in Cape Town, following previous years’ events in Johannesburg. This marks the first time the conference will be held in Cape Town.

“Cape Town’s robust healthcare infrastructure and focus on medical advancement and quality of care are aligned with Africa Health’s overarching vision, making it a fitting location for the continent’s largest healthcare gathering. The move is anticipated to bring new perspectives and reinvigorate the ongoing dialogues central to improving healthcare across the continent,” said Tom Coleman, Exhibition Director for Africa Health Congress.

Historically, the Congress has served as a key forum for wide-ranging discussions across the healthcare ecosystem, including technological innovations, policy, and financing. The upcoming Cape Town event continues this tradition, aiming to bring together diverse healthcare professionals to address the sector's pressing challenges.

Last year’s Africa Health event saw the African healthcare industry converge in Johannesburg for three days of networking, education, and business opportunities. The event attracted more than 8,100 attendees, hailing from some 40 different nations and over 400 exhibitors.

“Building on that success, this year’s event in Cape Town is expected to draw significant numbers of industry leaders, policymakers, health system specialists, and other health experts with a vision to align on the current critical issues in African healthcare,” added Coleman.

Acknowledging the geopolitical landscape, with 16 African nations heading towards elections this year, the healthcare sector faces a pivotal period. This context frames South Africa’s recent 2024 Budget Speech, where Minister Enoch Godongwana's allocation of additional funds for nursing, healthcare workers and skills training spoke to a continent-wide necessity.

A central theme at Africa Health 2024 will be the ongoing evolution of healthcare financing models, exemplified by South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI), which was allocated 1.4 billion ZAR during the Budget Speech. Last year, debates across the country focused on the development of this model, which culminated in the NHI bill's approval by the National Council of Provinces.

“Although still a hotly contested issue, this year, the emphasis is expected to shift towards practical implementation challenges. The topic is expected to feature prominently at this year’s Congress, especially within the Public Health; Quality Management & Patient Safety; and Ethics, Human Rights & Medical Law conference tracks,” said Coleman.

A significant focus this year within the broader sector will be on developing standardised, ethical, and interoperable health information systems across Africa – a cornerstone for improving patient care and data management.

Building on that emphasis, the 2024 Congress anticipates discussions on its increasing role in areas like imaging, diagnostics, and clinical coding, exploring how these advancements are helping us evolve healthcare practices on the continent.

Another critical agenda item is the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), a leading cause of death globally and a massive burden on both healthcare systems and national economies. This year’s congress will examine NCDs from various perspectives, considering their escalating significance.

Last year’s Inaugural Healthcare Indaba set the tone for an optimistic outlook from leaders at the highest echelons in the healthcare space. Building on this momentum, the 2nd Africa Health Indaba this year is poised to further these discussions, emphasising innovation and strategic collaboration in the face of the continent's evolving healthcare challenges.

Following last year's vibrant networking and deal-sealing event, the Hosted Buyers initiative, a programme aimed at connecting exhibitors and potential buyers, will be a key part of this year’s Cape Town conference.

Additionally, Medlab Africa 2024 will be held concurrently with Africa Health, offering further insights into laboratory medicine. Medlab Africa provides a platform to showcase the entire spectrum of products, technology, and innovations emerging from laboratory medicine, an increasingly important component of our continent’s healthcare systems.

“The conference aspires to be a nexus for knowledge exchange and idea exploration, with in-depth explorations of the issues shaping African healthcare's future. It offers a platform for professional networking, learning from thought leaders, and engaging with healthcare innovation,” concluded Coleman.

References available on request

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