Philips unpacks its Future Health Index 2024 report for South Africa
Philips has released the Philips Future Health Index 2024 report for South Africa, holding an event at The Venue in Melrose Arch to unpack the document’s key takeaways.
The event was attended by several industry experts: Philips Southern Africa MD Romulen Pillay, South African Medical Association (SAMA) CEO Dr Mzulungile Nodikida, and Aspen Pharmacare Group Executive and influential healthcare figure Dr Stavros Nicolaou.
The discussion was facilitated by Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile-Lenake, a Paediatric Registrar at the University of Witwatersrand, who led the experts in a panel discussion.
The discussion
To get proceedings underway, the panellists celebrated South Africa’s massive advances in adopting new healthcare technologies relative to the rest of the world.
“I think the rate of transformation is a key component that stood out from the report,” said Pillay.
According to the report, 60% of South African healthcare leaders have implemented AI in clinical decision support for treatment planning, in-hospital patient monitoring, and preventative care.
This is significant when compared to the global averages of 37%, 43% and 36% respectively, and serves as a promising sign for the future of the local healthcare industry.
However, the panel also noted that South Africa is focusing too much on all-encompassing initiatives like the NHI to improve its healthcare system – rather than on underlying concerns like staff shortages, climate change, and planning.
“We need to look at the environmental realities that are impacting what the future looks like,” said Nicolaou.
“We need less talking and more implementing.”
The panel focused on staff shortages in particular, noting that a lack of skilled health professionals is a major barrier to improvement in the sector.
This echoes the report’s findings, which found that 52% of South African healthcare leaders are concerned that workforce pressures lead to poor staff retention.
According to the panel, these pressures can be relieved with the intelligent use of technology in areas of inefficiency – allowing medical practitioners to focus more on their patients.
“You could use technology for medical records, and they could create flexibility and help deal with doctors’ mental health, too,” said Nodikida.
The report reinforced this stance, finding that 98% of healthcare leaders believe automation will help reduce administrative workloads.
The panel concluded the event by highlighting the importance of collaboration to ensure the healthcare sector’s long-term success.
“The tension between advancing health and ongoing barriers to high-quality healthcare call for increased collaboration among industry stakeholders, to partner with purpose, and enable better, sustainable care for all.,” said Pillay.
Click here to download the Philips Future Health Index 2024 report.
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