Medical workshop on sustainable models of medical service delivery for mineworkers in Southern Africa

 

On 2 June 2020, the Trustees of the Tshiamiso Trust hosted a one-day workshop to harness the skills, systems and thought processes of individuals experienced in occupational and public health in southern Africa. The scale of the medical services required for the Tshiamiso Trust to deliver on its mandate makes it necessary to explore different models of medical service delivery and the Trustees recognise that an inclusive and collaborative approach will assist it in developing models that will best serve the needs of the Tshiamiso Trust and its claimants.

The workshop was opened by The Tshiamiso Trust Chairperson, Professor May Hermanus, who gave context to the objectives of the workshop. Presentations and discussions included:

  • Overview of the establishment and objectives of the Tshiamiso Trust – Ms Kgomotso Molebatsi, Ms Janet Love, Mr Abre van Vuuren and Mr Michael Murray (Tshiamiso Trust Trustees)
  • The provision of statutory services under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA) and which services can be provided to Tshiamiso Trust – Dr Barry Kistnasamy (Compensation Commissioner, Department of Health & Tshiamiso Trust Trustee)
  • Medical service delivery as required by the Trust Deed – Dr Sophia Kisting-Cairncross
  • Overview of Covid-19 pandemic (South Africa and neighbouring countries) and future scenarios – Professor Salim Abdool Karim (Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19)
  • Scoping of medical services in Southern Africa that potentially could provide services to Tshiamiso Trust – Dr Mpho Rabada (Tshiamiso Trust Interim Management Team)
  • Plenary discussion – chaired by Professor Rodney Ehrlich
  • Panel discussion: What systems for medical service delivery are available in southern Africa and which can contribute to Tshiamiso Trust Deed medical requirements? – Facilitated by Professor Rodney Ehrlich and which included presentations by the MBOD, Groote Schuur/ UCT, UKZN, NIOH, MMPA, SASOHN, SASOM, AUDA-NEPAD, TEBA, TIMS, AURUM, ART, Qhubeka Trust and experts from Mozambique and Lesotho
  • Feasibility of sustainable models of medical service delivery for mineworkers in the Southern Africa context – Dr D Barnes (Specialist in Occupational Medicine) and Dr D Moyo (Baines Occupational Health Services and Safety Group)