SAMA Health Summit 2026

South African Medical Association (SAMA) Health Summit 2026

Programme Overview

TIME ACTIVITY
08:00-10:00 Registration and arrival refreshments - The Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel
OPENING SESSION DAY 1- Facilitator: SAMA CEO Dr Mzulungile Nodikida
10:00-10:30 Opening and Welcome - SAMA Chairperson: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa
SESSION 1- Facilitator: SAMA CEO, Dr Mzulungile Nodikida
10:30-11:10 Keynote Address 1: National Department of Health
11:10-11:20 Q&A
11:20-11:40 Sponsor Presentation 1 (Platinum)
SESSION 2 - Facilitator: Prof Dirk Hagemeister
11:40-12:40 Panel Discussion 1: Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration - Solutions Across Specialties
Case studies on cross-disciplinary partnerships addressing care integration, particularly in low-resource settings.
Prof Adam Bouttal, Dr Nkuli Boikhotso, Mr Lubabalo Mnyaka
Facilitator: Prof Sipho Dlamini
12:40-13:30 LUNCH
13:30-14:30 Panel Discussion 2: Innovations to improve Patient Care with Al
Exploring advances in emergency response and patient rehabilitation, especially in remote areas. Virtual monitoring, Al diagnostics, Access to specialist referrals
Prof Matshidza, Prof Jankelouw, Dr Ayanda Gina, Prof Velaphi
Facilitators: Prof Sebitloane and Prof Dhai
14:30-14:50 Sponsor Presentation 2 (Platinum)
14:50-15:15 TEA BREAK
15:15-17:15 Panel Discussion 3: Towards a National Electronic Health Record
Prof Snyman, Dr Lerato Khatle, Ms Sthembile Ntshanga, Dr Conrad Mashiloane, Ms Lauren Pretorius
Facilitator: Dr Mhlengi Ncube
18:00 onwards COCKTAIL (exhibitors and sponsors)
TIME ACTIVITY
07:30 Registration - The Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel
SESSION 3 - Facilitator: SAMA Chairperson, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa
08:30-08:35 Opening and Welcome - SAMA Vice Chairperson, Dr Zanele Bikitsha
08:35 08:55 Keynote Address 2: World Medical Association - Dr J Ehrenfeld Envisioning Holistic Innovation in Healthcare/Innovations that facilitate progress towards UHC
08:55-09:15 Keynote Address 3: Dean of UKZN Medical School - Prof R Masekela Harnessing the potential of Al to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals
09:15-09:30 Q&A
09:30-09:50 Sponsor Presentation 3 (Platinum)
09:50-10:20 TEA BREAK
SESSION 4-Facilitator: Prof Sebitloane
10:20-10:50 Keynote Address 4: Prof Rubin Pillay - Al in Healthcare
10:50-11:50 Panel Discussion 4: Global Surgery Innovations Prof Salome Maswime, Dr Richard Crawford, Prof Makasa, Prof Kathryn Chu Facilitator: Dr Zane Farina
11:50-12:00 Q&A
12:00-12:20 Sponsor Presentation 4 (Platinum)
12:20-13:20 LUNCH
SESSION 5-Facilitator: Prof Dhai
13:20-13:40 Sponsor Presentation 5 (Gold)
13:40-14:10 PLENARY: Use of Al in Research - Dr Martin Bekker
14:10-14:20 TEA BREAK (Working Tea)
SESSION 6A
14:20-17:00 Abstracts 1 Prof Dirk Hagemeister & Dr Zane Farina
SESSION 6B
14:20-17:00 Abstracts 2 Prof Velaphi & Prof Snyman
19:00 Gala Dinner: Prof Ntusi "Harnessing Al for the Health of the Nation"
TIME ACTIVITY
08:30 Registration starts - The Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel
SESSION 7: Facilitator: Prof Makrexeni
09:00-09:30 Keynote Address 5: Prof Justus Hofmeyer
From Innovation to Access: How novel ideas and collaboration can impact child birth care globally
09:30-09:50 Brief Presentations (1-4)
Junior Healthcare workers: Innovative Solutions to Improve access to health care services in SA
09:50-10:15 Panel Discussion 5
Dr Botha, Dr Harbor, Prof N.Mooi, Ms Kula
Facilitator: Prof Makrexeni
10:15-10:30 Sponsor Presentation 6 (Gold)
10:30-11:00 TEA BREAK AND EXHIBITION
SESSION 8: Facilitator: Prof Matshidza and Prof Dhal
11:00-11:20 Presentation 5: Ethics - Al in Healthcare Telehealth & social media - Dr Kamwendo
11:20-11:40 Presentation 6: Ethics - Data Protection & Al in Healthcare: Best Practices and Future Directions - Prof Mahommed
11:40-12:00 Presentation 7: Ethical Rules: Al and Social Media Use - HPCSA
12:00-12:20 PANEL Discussion 6: ALL Ethics Speakers
12:20-12:35 Sponsor presentation 7 (Gold)
12:35-12:50 Recommendations and Way Forward: Dr Ziyanda Mgugudo-Sello
12:50-13:00 Vote of Thanks and Closure: Dr Mzulungile Nodikida
13:00 onwards LUNCH AND NETWORKING