Latest news with #NationalHealthCouncil
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Leading Health Care Experts Highlight Rapid Pace of Innovation in Medicine, MedTech and AI at NHC Symposium
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading health care and patient advocacy experts outlined the rapid pace of medical innovation at the National Health Council (NHC) Science of Patient Engagement Symposium, and discussed the many ways technology is transforming patient diagnosis, treatment and quality of life. The conference, entitled, Elevating Innovation: Medicine, MedTech, and AI, held May 7-8 at the National Press Club, brings together more than 150 policymakers, researchers, patients and patient advocates, and health care providers. Keeping patient needs at the center of health care amidst technological progress is essential The Symposium, held annually, explores standards and best practices that ensure every patient has legitimate input in their own medical care and that research is co-created with patients and results are applied equally to all individuals. Each conference panel session includes a moderator or panelist from the patient community. 'This Symposium brings together the most influential, experienced and passionate leaders to ensure the needs of patients are being met as they navigate our complex health care system,' said Randall L. Rutta, NHC CEO. 'As medical technology delivers astonishing advancements, we must ensure the needs of patients remain at the forefront of care. That is the critically important focus of this Symposium.' The Symposium examined the science of patient engagement from the perspectives of both patients and medical experts. Keynote speakers included: Nicholas Webb, number one best-selling author and Chief Executive Officer of LeaderLogic, LLC, The Science of Patient Engagement in an era of Chaotic Change. Petrina Kamya, PhD, Head of AI Platforms and President of Insilico Medicine Canada, Insilico Medicine, Putting Patients First in Drug Discovery, a Few AI-driven Case Studies. Brian Anderson, MD, Chief Executive Officer – Coalition for Health AI, Human Flourishing in an Age of Health AI. 'This Symposium not only convenes some of the most influential voices in health care, it serves as a laboratory for new ideas and new ways of doing things that ensures patients not only get the best care available, but that they also have a legitimate voice and proper role in their own health care decisions,' said Dr. Devin Jopp, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and Chair of the NHC's Research and Programs Committee. Additional conference highlights and speakers included: In the opening session, Karl Cooper, Esq., Executive Director, American Association on Health and Disability moderated a session, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Bridging the Gap Between MedTech and Patient Needs, discussed the novel ways tech companies and patients are collaborating in the development of medical devices and wearables. Dr. Raj Ratwani, Vice President of Scientific Affairs, MedStar Health Research Institute and Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Integrating Precision Medicine and Health Systems into AI Innovation, led a conversation about how AI is streamlining operations and supporting precision medicine initiatives – and ethical principles – to create smarter, more responsive health care systems that benefit patients and their family caregivers. A pre-conference workshop session, Empathy-First Innovation: How to Embed Patient Advocacy in the Design Process, introduced actionable frameworks for empathy-first innovation and demonstrated how to make patient advocates an integral part of a company's innovation journey. The Science of Patient Engagement Symposium is an annual event where research leaders convene to share their experiences, accomplishments, best practices, and resulting translational impacts on the science of patient engagement. About NHC Created by and for patient organizations more than 100 years ago, the National Health Council (NHC) brings diverse organizations together to forge consensus and drive patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable health care. Made up of more than 180 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC's core membership includes the nation's leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations. Learn more at:
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Africa: Government allocates $52mln to recruit new healthcare professionals nationwide
The National Health Council has approved the creation of 1,200 new doctor positions in a major effort to tackle the critical shortage of healthcare professionals within the public healthcare system. The decision comes after years of budgetary constraints that hindered the employment of medical professionals despite dissatisfaction and urgent need. Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's announcement follows the presentation of a new budget by the Finance Minister on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, which allocated R1.78bn to fund the recruitment of healthcare workers. In addition to the 1 200 doctors, Motsoaledi said the Council has approved the hiring of 200 nurses and 250 other healthcare professionals. He told journalists that the Human Resources units will soon commence with recruitment processes once all logistics have been finalised. 'Early this year, the country woke up to widespread dissatisfaction about the employment of healthcare professionals, especially doctors amid [a] shortage in the public healthcare system,' he said. However, Motsoaledi believes that this development marks a turning point for the public healthcare sector, which has been struggling to meet the demands of a growing population. The Council's decision is expected to alleviate pressure on existing healthcare facilities and improve access to quality medical care for citizens. Meanwhile, he said the Council emphasised its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the system and ensuring that the sector is adequately staffed to deliver essential services. The Council is a statutory body consisting of the Minister of Health, all nine Health MECs, the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the Surgeon General of South African Military Health Services. Addressing shortages 'One of the most embarrassing experiences the public health sector had to endure is the shortage of simple things that will make the stay of patients a worthwhile experience. 'In fact, one of the biggest differences between the public and private sectors are the hotelling services characterised by the issues we have just mentioned,' said Motsoaledi. He said the Council has decided to purchase 25,000 beds, 80,000 mattresses, 7,655 bassinets for new babies, and 1,250 million linens, including bed sheets and pillows, for a total of R1.346bn. 'It is for that reason that we wish to announce that we have checked province by province what that need [is] in the form of hospital beds and bassinets for newborn babies. We remember with a sense of shame how babies were put in cardboard boxes in Mahikeng hospital in the North West province.' Review of human resources policies Meanwhile, Motsoaledi said that during the Council meeting held in November last year, a decision was made to review some of the 'outdated' human resources policies. "There are a lot of health policies that were adopted at the dawn of democracy, which we believe are now obsolete or no longer serve the purpose for which they were intended. Some have created unnecessary costs without delivering tangible benefits. In fact, we can say that some have even contributed to undermining the public sector's ability to deliver quality services." Four health policies are currently under review, including the policy on remunerative work outside the public service, which outlines the regulations for employees wishing to obtain permission for paid work beyond their regular responsibilities. A committee established in terms of Section 91(1) of the National Health Act of 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003), read with Section 91(2) of the same Act, will also review the overtime policy. This policy relates to the fixed payments made to healthcare professionals for overtime hours worked, aimed at meeting operational demands and addressing skills shortages. In addition, the community service policy, which focuses on the deployment of medical practitioners and the rural allowance policy, designed for medical practitioners serving in remote rural locations, will also be looked into. The committee members include Cassius Lubisi, Sibongile Mchunu, Laetitia Rispel, Eric Buch, Terence Carter, Rajen Morar, Binu Luke, Nomvula Marawa, Busisiwe Ncama and Somadoda Fikeni.
