Health Funders Association - HFA

Health Funders Association - HFA HFA is a non-profit organisation representing key stakeholders in South Africa’s private healthcare funding sector.

It represents 20 medical schemes and 3 administrators, covering 46% of the private healthcare market (4.1 million beneficiaries).

08/07/2026

After decades as both a practising paediatrician and healthcare policy advocate, Dr Simon Strachan has witnessed significant changes in South Africa’s healthcare environment.

In Episode 10 of HFA's Building the Health System We Deserve podcast, he joins HFA CEO Thoneshan Naidoo for a thoughtful discussion on the realities facing the healthcare sector today and what it will take to build a more sustainable, equitable and trusted health system.

Drawing on his experience in both clinical practice and health policy, Dr Strachan reflects on the remarkable progress made in areas such as vaccination and HIV treatment, while also exploring the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions. He shares his views on the pressures facing healthcare professionals, from rising patient expectations and financial constraints to the challenge of retaining healthcare skills in South Africa.

The conversation also explores the future of healthcare reform, including National Health Insurance, the need for practical solutions to improve access to care, and the work of the Universal Healthcare Access Coalition to develop a roadmap for sustainable reform.

Above all, this episode is a reminder that we all share the same goal: ensuring that every South African has access to quality healthcare. Rebuilding trust, strengthening leadership and fostering collaboration across the healthcare sector will be critical to achieving that vision.

Watch and enjoy the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dIun3hFotR0

Listen here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/524QOzHbWG47Sx90UHGMDi?si=25oX2tgATUCCGcbLeextQw

Our thanks to Superlead Advisory for partnering with us to make this podcast possible.

24/06/2026

Episode 9 of the HFA Podcast Series is now live!

In this episode of Building the Health System We Deserve, we speak to Farhaad Haffejee, CEO of Air Mercy Service.

Farhaad shares how AMS is helping to bridge healthcare access gaps across South Africa through a range of innovative services, from aeromedical transport and emergency response to flying healthcare professionals into underserved communities where they are needed most. Through this work, he has gained a unique perspective on the realities facing many South Africans when it comes to accessing healthcare.

One example he discusses is the challenge of healthcare delivery in parts of the Northern Cape, where some patients travel an average of 1,000 kilometres in search of care, yet are only able to see a healthcare provider once in every 3.5 visits to a health facility.
Behind these statistics are people who undertake long, costly and exhausting journeys while unwell, spend time away from their families and livelihoods, and face uncertainty about whether they will receive the care they need when they arrive. His insights provide a powerful reminder that access remains one of the most fundamental pillars of universal health coverage and that bringing healthcare closer to communities can have a profound impact on people's lives.

Farhaad's insights are a powerful reminder that access is one of the most fundamental pillars of universal health coverage and that innovative solutions are needed to bring healthcare closer to the communities that need it most.

Our thanks to Farhaad for sharing his experiences and perspectives, and to AMS for the important work they do in improving healthcare access across South Africa.

We also extend our appreciation to our podcast partner, Superlead, for helping us bring these important healthcare conversations to life.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QXnBMiqSuKg
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0P9H05gUtinl9NHNdQHjo6?si=7bvYTwiCTBmZiXjsZ_Bhxg

10/06/2026

In Episode 8 of the HFA podcast series, Building the Health System We Deserve, we are joined by Dr Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive: Strategic Trade at Aspen Pharma Group.

Stavros reflects on his remarkable journey with Aspen, from its early years to becoming a global pharmaceutical company with a footprint across both emerging and developed markets.

The conversation explores one of the most significant public health achievements in South Africa's history: the introduction of affordable generic antiretrovirals. Stavros shares how expanding access to life-saving treatment helped save hundreds of thousands of lives and enabled many young South Africans to remain active contributors to their families, communities and the economy.

We also gain insight into a day in the life of one of South Africa's most respected healthcare leaders, his passion for building sustainable communities, and his vision for a healthcare system that places patients at its centre.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, partnership and the role that healthcare can play in creating a more equitable society.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VXKgqx8syhE
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wqeYJnmcu8H4h1RDxfCim?si=in8f0m-uRpGCqzO7lNCMwA

A special thank you to Superlead Advisory for partnering with us on this podcast series and helping to create a platform for meaningful conversations about the future of healthcare in South Africa.

03/06/2026

In Episode 7 of the HFA podcast series Building the Health System We Deserve, Craig Taylor, Principal Officer of Netcare Medical Scheme, reflects on healthcare through both a professional and personal lens.

Craig shares his own health journey and the compassion, support and quality of care he received while incapacitated in hospital — an experience that reinforced his belief that every South African should have access to dignified, quality healthcare.

The conversation also explores the delicate balance medical schemes must maintain between providing meaningful benefits to members and ensuring long-term sustainability for the scheme.

Craig reflects on the importance of objective tools such as Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in evaluating the value and impact of therapies, screening programmes and emerging technologies, helping schemes make evidence-based decisions that ultimately serve patients more effectively.

He also speaks to the virtues of Value Based Care, which places the patient at the centre of the healthcare journey. Importantly, Craig notes that achieving this kind of collaborative, patient-centred system will require a renewed sense of trust between stakeholders across the healthcare sector if South Africa is to move towards a more cohesive and inclusive health system.

Thank you to Craig for these insightful and thoughtful perspectives!

Thank you as always to Superlead for partnering with us on the Building the Health System We Deserve podcast series.

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u1PIc3atlzo
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DPRFRAeCvJBZnZaD31S2D?si=qM8rzf-kRracTffEqm_vzQ

27/05/2026

For many patients and families affected by rare diseases, the journey to diagnosis and treatment is often long, emotionally draining and lonely.

In Episode 6 of the HFA podcast series, Building The Health System We Deserve, we speak to Kelly du Plessis, CEO and Founder of Rare Diseases South Africa, who shares both her professional insight and her personal experience as a mother navigating the rare disease landscape.

Kelly speaks candidly about the challenges patients and families face - from delayed diagnoses and limited awareness, to difficulties accessing treatment and support. She also reflects on the importance of building a healthcare system that is more compassionate, responsive and inclusive.

One of the most sobering realities discussed in this conversation is that fewer than 1% of people living with a rare disease in South Africa are able to access treatment for their condition - a stark reminder of both the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for solutions.

Thank you to Kelly for sharing her story and for the extraordinary work she continues to do on behalf of patients living with rare diseases in South Africa.

Thank you as always to SuperLead Advisory for partnering with us on this podcast series.

Watch it here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/77OIMqTgJvg
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7M1AvsoKLW65I7p6e3GRJq?si=3h0ur0kJSMyoyxZ0onzbcA

20/05/2026

One of the most important conversations in healthcare right now is about trust.

In this clip from the latest episode of the HFA podcast series Building the Health System We Deserve, Teddy Mosomothane, CE and Principal Officer of Bankmed, reflects on the trust deficit that exists between different players across the healthcare environment.

Teddy makes an important point: the very people within the system who understand its complexities best are also the people best placed to help craft inclusive, practical and sustainable solutions for the country.

Medical schemes, healthcare providers, regulators, administrators and policymakers all have a critical role to play in shaping the future of healthcare in South Africa. Yet meaningful progress becomes difficult when relationships are characterised by suspicion instead of collaboration.

Rebuilding trust will not happen overnight. But respectful engagement, honest conversations and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes are essential if we are serious about building the health system South Africans deserve.

Thank you to Teddy for sharing these valuable insights.

A special thank you to SuperLead Advisory for providing the space and supporting this initiative. It is partnerships like these that help move the needle in South Africa’s healthcare landscape.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/rojSjty7yKs
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/13ORVJd4LYMkD8OdxHGz4n?si=wYCMNUMmSXy7-uUyPLJaOA

14/05/2026

Building the Health System We Deserve

New Episode!

In the latest episode of the HFA podcast series, Thoneshan Naidoo speaks to Ronald Abvajee, CEO of Healthy Living Consulting, an award-winning South African wellbeing and engagement company focused on transforming health, performance and behaviour.

Drawing from his own personal health journey and years of experience in workplace wellness and behavioural change, Ronald shares why prevention remains one of the most underutilised tools in healthcare. The discussion explores how technology, wearables and AI are giving us unprecedented insight into our health, but also why data only becomes valuable when it drives healthier decisions and meaningful behavioural change.

Ronald also reflects on the growing importance of workplace and community screening, the relationship between health and productivity, and why healthier employees ultimately contribute to stronger organisations and more sustainable healthcare systems.

It is a thoughtful and practical conversation about the role prevention, wellbeing and human behaviour can play in building the health system South Africa deserves.

A special thank you to Superlead Advisory for partnering with us and helping bring these important healthcare conversations to life.

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zjpucm0hkiw
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1p7XYABHSBZ5uXfOzRpN6u?si=mwAkcHVTTGeR07Nk09vOGQ

11/05/2026

What does it really take to build healthier families and stronger communities in South Africa?

In our latest episode of Building the Health System We Deserve, we sit down with Dr Mzulungile Theo Nodikida, CEO of SAMA, for a thoughtful conversation about the future of healthcare in South Africa.

Dr Nodikida shares how his experience studying medicine in Cuba shaped his belief in the power of primary healthcare and community-based care — where prevention, early intervention and strong local healthcare systems can change lives.

This discussion goes beyond policy. It is also a story about leadership, purpose and the importance of building a health system that works not only for individuals, families and communities.

This is an important conversation for anyone interested in healthcare reform and the future of healthcare in South Africa.

A special thank you to SuperLead Advisory for providing the space and supporting this initiative. It is partnerships like these that help move the needle in South Africa’s healthcare landscape.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/aBwdt05Rerw
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3lsSUIELouUbjSEgxGRR0E?si=726c1cae539d4345

09/04/2026

“What if the biggest breakthroughs in healthcare didn’t come from policy alone — but from activism?”

Exciting announcement!

As the Health Funders Association, we’re proud to officially launch our podcast series, “Building the Healthcare System We Deserve.”

As a key representative in the industry, we recognise that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Through this platform, we engage with industry leaders and pioneers to share insights that can help shape and steer the healthcare sector in the right direction.

To build a fair and just system, collaboration is critical.
In our first episode, healthcare activist Heywood unpacks the importance of stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors — and challenges how we view activism in this space:

“Activists should be seen as allies of government — we’re not the enemy.”

A special thank you to Advisory for providing the space and supporting this initiative. It is partnerships like these that help move the needle in South Africa’s healthcare landscape and contribute to meaningful progress across the broader African region.

Watch the full episode here: YouTube: https://youtu.be/fUG0bcN741k

Or listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1JJ3jRdPJH9nYYVeEfbiDF?si=dksq1E-0QgmpajxDPny4CQ

On World Cancer Day, we were privileged to attend the Department of Health’s multistakeholder engagement on cervical can...
05/02/2026

On World Cancer Day, we were privileged to attend the Department of Health’s multistakeholder engagement on cervical cancer elimination. The event saw the launch of the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in South Africa: Strategic and Implementation Framework 2026–2030, aimed at guiding national efforts in prevention, early detection, treatment, and care.

The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s global targets to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030, including vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV, screening 70% of women, and ensuring timely treatment for those diagnosed.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in South Africa, after breast cancer, making HPV vaccination a critical preventive health measure. Medical schemes play an important role in supporting preventive care, with most schemes funding HPV vaccination and a range of cancer screening benefits helping members access early detection and preventive measures.

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