In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Presidential Health Compact, outlining a nine-pillar plan to address challenges in South Africa’s health system, including human resources, supply chain management, infrastructure, governance, and community engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted implementation, but stakeholders continued working toward the Compact’s goals. In May 2023, the Second Presidential Health Summit reviewed progress since the 2018 summit, coinciding with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Over 1,400 participants from various sectors acknowledged achievements but emphasized the need for further efforts in workforce expansion, addressing inequities, strengthening health systems, and tackling corruption. The summit also explored new interventions and strategies for National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation.
