For Immediate Release
10 September 2025
To All Editors and Health Journalists
INAUGURAL HEALTH OMBUDSMAN CONFERENCE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT
Pretoria.
The Health Ombud is set to convene its first-ever conference to be held on 11 and 12
September 2025 at the Emperors Palace Conference Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. This
conference coincides with the commemoration of World Patient Safety Day, which closely aligns
with the Health Ombud’s mandate to safeguard the quality and safety of healthcare services for
all users.
The upcoming biennial conference will bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers,
regulators, academics, and members of civil society under the theme “Health and Healthcare as
a Human Right.” The event promises to deliver a high-quality and impactful event, featuring
discussions that will focus on healthcare as a constitutional right. Participants will share insights on
strengthening oversight to create a health system that is accessible, fair, and accountable.
The two-day programme will include a keynote address by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi (MP). It will feature in-depth open dialogue sessions and presentations that focus on
various factors affecting access to safe and quality healthcare services. Additionally, discussions
will cover the contribution of the private healthcare industry and funders towards achieving
universal access to healthcare in South Africa.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the Health Ombud, Emeritus Professor Taole Mokoena,
emphasised, “This conference serves as a vital platform to reflect on our progress, challenges, and
opportunities in ensuring that healthcare is recognised not as a privilege, but as a fundamental
human right. Our goal is to foster collective commitment to a patient-centred health system that
upholds dignity, fairness, and justice.”
The inaugural conference reaffirms the Health Ombud’s mandate to safeguard the public’s right
to health, promote a safe and ethical healthcare service, and drive continuous improvement in
the quality of care across the healthcare system.
Media are invited to cover the event. For accreditation, please email Ntombizodwa Kobuwe
nkobuwe@ohsc.org.za or visit the Health Ombud or OHSC websites on www.healthombud.org.za
or www.ohsc.org.za for more information.
Ends.
Issued by the Health Ombud.
Media Enquiries:
Ricardo Mahlakanya – Cell: 066 473 8666
Approved_Media Statement_Inaugural Health Ombud Conference 2025