By Dr Reno Morar, Director: Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University

Johannesburg, 20 November 2024 – As Director of the newly established Medical School in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, I am honoured to lead South Africa’s tenth and youngest medical school. Our first cohort of Mandela Doctors will graduate in 2026, symbolising a significant step forward for our healthcare system.

This milestone aligns with a broader national objective: achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all South Africans. With the signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law, the nation is at a pivotal juncture. While UHC promises equitable access to quality healthcare regardless of income or location, its success depends on robust planning, resource allocation, and cross-sector collaboration.

The Role of Medical Institutions in UHC

South Africa’s medical schools and training institutions are central to achieving UHC. They underpin the country’s Human Resources for Health Strategy, ensuring healthcare professionals are equipped to meet the demands of a redefined healthcare landscape.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the power of unity between the public and private sectors. This collaborative spirit will be essential for shaping a resilient and inclusive healthcare system that can fulfil UHC's ambitions.

Challenges and Opportunities Under the NHI Act

The NHI Act seeks to provide equitable access to quality healthcare while addressing disparities in resources and infrastructure. However, the journey to UHC involves more than accessibility—it demands efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

Governance and Accountability

The government’s leadership is critical in ensuring a smooth transition, with the need to establish new accountability mechanisms, redefine roles, and reassess funding streams. Structural challenges—particularly in under-resourced rural and township areas—require a strategic mindset and adaptability.

Infrastructure and Workforce

South Africa’s rural and underserved communities face severe shortages in infrastructure, equipment, and staff. Success will hinge on addressing these gaps through enhanced governance, targeted resource allocation, and leadership development.

Long-Term Commitment

Implementing the NHI is a multi-decade endeavour, requiring sustained effort, evidence-based planning, and clear accountability measures. It must adapt to evolving healthcare needs, particularly in areas like digital healthcare infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Lessons from the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the potential for public-private collaboration. Resource-sharing, patient care, and vaccine distribution were bolstered by this partnership. Moving forward, similar collaboration can enhance infrastructure, service delivery, and the integration of innovative technologies, ensuring underserved areas are prioritised.

The Role of Medical Education

To sustain the NHI and UHC, South Africa needs healthcare professionals who are adaptable, empathetic, and resilient. At Nelson Mandela University, we prepare students for a wide range of healthcare settings, from rural clinics to urban hospitals.

Through community-based learning and a curriculum that addresses real-world disparities, students gain a deep understanding of the challenges their future patients face. This holistic approach ensures our graduates are equipped to provide empathetic, innovative, and multifaceted care across the country.

A Shared Responsibility

Achieving UHC is a bold declaration of South Africa’s commitment to healthcare equity and the well-being of its people. It requires:

• Strategic planning to build sustainable systems.
• Effective governance to ensure public confidence.
• Collaboration across sectors to leverage collective strengths.

South Africa has a unique opportunity to create a healthcare system that fulfils the promise of its constitution. By embracing responsibility and collaboration, we can build a system that serves all South Africans.

As we prepare to graduate our first 45 Mandela Doctors in 2026, we look forward to a healthcare system we can all be proud of—a system that reflects the spirit of our democracy and prioritises the health of all its people.

About Dr Reno Morar

Dr Reno Morar is the Head and Director of the Medical School in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University. A Public Health Medicine Specialist and Executive Coach, Dr Morar holds an MBChB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and postgraduate qualifications in Public Health and Health Management.

His career spans executive roles at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he served as Chief Operating Officer, and advisory positions on national regulatory bodies such as the Council for Medical Schemes, Health Professions Council of South Africa, and Office of Health Standards Compliance. Dr Morar’s expertise in public health and governance is pivotal to advancing healthcare in South Africa.

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Navigating the Road to Universal Health Coverage
Dr Reno Morar shares insights on UHC and the pivotal role of Nelson Mandela University’s Medical School in shaping healthcare for all South Africans. #UniversalHealthCoverage #NHI #HealthcareEquity #MandelaDoctors #pressrelease #AfricaNewsroom #bizcommunity #publicrelations #africa #southernafrica #southafrica