by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE seventh Public Health in Africa Conference, set for October, arrives at a critical juncture in global health.
To be held under the theme, “Population Health and Preventative Medicine” in Johannesburg it will probe into urgent issues like non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and notably, the rising global epidemic of multimorbidity.
Dr Tshegofatso Maimela, a public health medicine specialist with the Gauteng Department of Health, will focus on South Africa’s trailblazing work in HIV research as it intersects with multimorbidity.
“Understanding the complexities of multimorbidity states on conditions such as HIV, COVID 19 and other prevalent conditions improves our approach to managing the complex presentation of such conditions, and the challenges of providing coordinated care for the many patients with multimorbidity profiles within our siloed health system,” she said.
“We can no longer afford to treat diseases as isolated phenomena. We need to adopt a more holistic approach; one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of these health challenges and their impact on individuals, families, communities, and workplaces alike.”
Dr Chauntelle Bagwandeen, an illustrious public health medicine specialist and field leading medical expert, will accompany Maimela in steering the conference discussions.
Bagwandeen’s work has been instrumental in understanding the nature and spread of sexually transmitted infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
The conference, in partnership with the South African Public Health Preventive Medicine Association (SAPHPMA), draws a diverse audience, from C-level healthcare executives to government officials, offering a unique platform for cross-sector engagement.
– CAJ News