PHOLELA LECTURE
12 September 2023, 10h30-12h00
 This year’s Pholela Lecture will be delivered by Dr Waasila Jassat, who while at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, led the design and implementation of DATCOV, a COVID-19 hospital surveillance system that collected, analysed, and disseminated health information that was used by policymakers for the national response to COVID-19 in South Africa (SA). The DATCOV experience provides a practical example of translating surveillance evidence into public health action. As the world emerges from COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern, this is an apt time to reflect and discuss opportunities for creating responsive and resilient health systems and strengthening future pandemic preparedness. Dr Jassat will share her experience of establishing DATCOV, using innovative approaches and technologies to strengthen COVID-19 surveillance, and enhancing the uptake of surveillance evidence by decision-makers. Opportunities, challenges, and transferable lessons for other settings and the future will also be shared.
WORKSHOP
Bridging the Gap between Academia and the Workplace:
Re-imagining Occupational Health Training: Preparedness of the Occupational Medicine Provider to Enter the Working World
10 September 2023, 110H30-14H30
An open interactive workshop exploring innovations for re-invigorating occupational medicine training in SA and bridging the gap between training and practice to ensure graduates are equipped with skills relevant to the working population they serve. The session aims to stimulate a discussion around innovative ideas to ‘future-proof’ occupational medicine training in SA. We look forward to this open workshop to shape the future of occupational health in SA. Together, we can create a stronger bridge between academia and the workplace.
WORKSHOP
Higher Diploma in Medical Management curriculum finalisation
10 September 2023, 12H00-17H30 (Tanner Room, The Marine Southern Sun Hotel)
This workshop is hosted by the Medical Management Sub-Committee of the College of Public Health Medicine, and seeks to finalise the curriculum
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documentation for the Higher Diploma in Medical Management, currently awaiting promulgation via national qualification bodies. The session will begin with a brief presentation on the draft syllabus of the diploma and the Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) contained therein, followed by facilitated question and answer sessions in plenary, based on the sub-sections of the diploma syllabus. There are limited seats available. For PHM Consultants and Registrars interested in participating, please contact Dr Shrikant Peters (shrikant.peters@uct.ac.za)
ORGANISED SESSION
Building workforce capacity to deliver the Essential Public Health Functions
10 September 2023, 15H00 – 16H30
The World Health Organization (WHO) along with partner organisations has developed a WHO Roadmap for Public Health and Emergency Workforce which provides guidance on for countries on three areas: 1) Understanding where and how the 12 essential public health functions (EPHFs) are delivered in various countries 2) Determining the competencies required of the workforce to deliver on said EPHFs and 3) Mapping the workforce that delivers on the EPHFs. The session will discuss the central role of the public health workforce in delivering the EPHFs, and building skills and competencies for these tasks, provide insights into lessons learnt from other countries such as the UK, and describe global and national actions being taken to strengthen SA’s public health and emergency workforce.
ORAL PRESENTATION
From theory to practice- the role of curriculum review in improving public health practice and outcomes
11 September 2023, 17H45 – 18H00
For public health medicine (PHM) training to be responsive to the local South African context (high burden of preventable diseases, health system fragmentation, health inequities, and recent health policy contexts), curriculum review and responsiveness is crucial. The College of Public Health Medicine oversees curriculum and assessment practices for specialisation in PHM and established a subcommittee to review the knowledge and skills elements of the current curriculum, to make recommendations on responsive changes and the establishment of Entrustable Professional Activities. This Curriculum and Assessment Practices for PHM subcommittee will be sharing the approaches taken and outcomes of the FCPHM curriculum mapping process.
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