Policy Brief: Call for Leadership in Healthcare Innovation
The Challenge Facing Healthcare Innovators
Barriers to Innovation
Healthcare innovators face significant barriers including outdated regulations, limited funding, and insufficient medical scheme support — all of which slow the adoption of better, more accessible care models.
HMI Report Finding (2019)
"Current regulation of practitioners through the Health Professionals Council, in particular on fee-sharing, multidisciplinary group practices, and employment of doctors, has significantly inhibited the evolution of innovative and integrated models of care."
Progress & Gaps
Recent HPCSA amendments represent progress toward integrated healthcare delivery. However, full realisation requires medical schemes to become active proponents of change, not merely compliant participants.
Provider Leadership
Leading Despite Uncertainty
Several South African healthcare organisations have demonstrated a commitment to innovation despite regulatory uncertainty, working across population medicine, palliative care, and hospital-at-home models.
Recognition & Support
These innovators merit recognition and support as contributors to accessible, quality healthcare advancement. Their work is essential to building a more equitable health system in South Africa.
Medical Schemes’ Role
Regulatory Amendments Needed
The Council for Medical Schemes must introduce regulatory amendments enabling schemes to modify tariff codes to accommodate multidisciplinary teams and innovative care models.
Local Expertise Advantage
South Africa's local expertise allows for expedited adoption of innovative models without unnecessary delays. Schemes should leverage this rather than waiting for international precedent.
Recommended Actions for Medical Schemes
Due Diligence
Conduct comprehensive due diligence on innovative healthcare models to understand their clinical and financial value before dismissing non-traditional approaches.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication with regulators like the HPCSA to stay ahead of regulatory changes and engage proactively in shaping a supportive policy environment.
Strategic Adoption Plans
Develop strategic adoption plans for multidisciplinary practices, setting clear timelines and accountability measures for integrating innovative care models.
Collaborate & Evaluate
Collaborate with fellow schemes and innovators, and establish monitoring frameworks and evaluation metrics to measure the impact of new care models on patient outcomes and costs.
About the Author
Dr Howard P Manyonga — CEO of Network One Health. Dr Manyonga is a leading voice in healthcare innovation in South Africa, committed to building accessible, multidisciplinary models of care for all women.
Email: howard@networkonehealth.co.za | Website: www.networkonehealth.co.za