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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get proceedings underway, the panellists celebrated South Africa’s massive advances in adopting new healthcare technologies relative to the rest of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think the rate of transformation is a key component that stood out from the report,\u201d said Pillay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need to look at the environmental realities that are impacting what the future looks like,\u201d said Nicolaou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need less talking and more implementing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou could use technology for medical records, and they could create flexibility and help deal with doctors’ mental health, too,\u201d said Nodikida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report reinforced this stance, finding that 98% of healthcare leaders believe automation will help reduce administrative workloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The panel concluded the event by highlighting the importance of collaboration to ensure the healthcare sector\u2019s long-term success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe 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.,\u201d said Pillay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click here to download the Philips Future Health Index 2024 report.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Philips-Romulan-Pillay-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/a>The discussion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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