The College of Public Health Medicine (CPHM) is the examining body for medical specialists in Public Health Medicine and Occupational Medicine. It has over 200 fellows distributed throughout South Africa working to strengthen the health system and improve population health. In the public sector, this includes the National Department of Health, National Institute for Occupational Health, provincial departments of health, and at district level. Our Fellows are also employed by universities, non-governmental organisations, and in the private sector.

The work of the CPHM Council is divided amongst five subcommittees. There are Curriculum and Assessment Practices subcommittees for each of our qualifications – FCPHM(SA), FCPHM(SA) Occupational Medicine, and the Higher Diploma in Medical Management. A Membership and Career Pathing Subcommittee is responsible for a number of member activities within CPHM including the annual Pholela Lecture that focuses on health systems strengthening, quarterly national ward rounds, and the CPHM Newsletter. An Advocacy Subcommittee is responsible for driving public health advocacy within CPHM.

While CPHM’s primary focus remains examination, it has sought to make an active contribution beyond this. Examples include the release of technical guidance documents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and collaborating in the development of the World Health Organisation Roadmap for the Public Health and Emergency Workforce.