Corporate Social Investment
The members of the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) have collaboratively and compassionately responded to healthcare requirements, expanding healthcare provision to more than nine million people. Across South Africa, thousands of people receive pro bono care from private hospitals, specialists and nurses who perform a variety of procedures.
Private hospital organisations invested significantly in numerous programmes that strengthen the healthcare system through education, capacity building, research assistance and leadership development.
Finally, private institutions have generously supported non-governmental organisations who work towards a healthier South Africa.
Private hospitals’ social investments rest on that principle of, “Thuma mina” (send me), by helping people to overcome their healthcare challenges.

Bursaries & Skills
Developments
including bursaries, employee support, leadership development, and healthcare skills training in various areas of delivery.

Enhancing
Public Health

Community Health

Support for NGO's
Delivering Medical Help
For years HASA members have provided the following procedures:
- Cataract removals;
- Various urological procedures;
- Ear, nose and throat procedures;
- Cleft lip and palate corrections and mandible tumour implants; and
- Orthopaedic procedures, including joint replacements.
Emergency services are regularly offered to vulnerable persons, most notably, patients with life-threatening diseases.
Innovative Solutions
Private hospital have responded with several innovative programmes to address the nation’s healthcare requirements. With programmes like;
- Partnerships to go beyond cataract removals to include job training for the blind;
- Health screenings in surrounding communities;
- The establishment and management of milk banks for premature babies;
- Mobile libraries to assist with learning; and
- Satff volunteerism.
Emergency services for vulnerable people for whom an appropriate bed cannot be found in public hospitals and after they have been stabilised in emergency departments are regularly provided, particularly for patients with life threatening conditions.
Strengthening the Healthcare System
Private hospitals have also made an invaluable contribution to build a responsive and resilient healthcare system. Contributions like the Public Health Enhancement Fund (PHEF) that was set up to “address South Africa’s healthcare resource limitations by building increased resource and management capacity.” The fund’s objective is to deliver 1000 doctorate graduates in 10 years, to boost job creation, economic growth, research and innovation capacity.
Since 2013, 456 medical school students have been funded, along with 204 scholars pursuing post-graduate studies in a variety of fields, including noncommunicable illnesses and HIV. PHEF provided support to the South African National Health Products Regulatory Authority with a bi-annual budget of R10 million, which includes capacity building.
Up to the end of 2018 the fund invested R158 million on building human resources, graduated 75 doctors, supported the work of 27 research scholars and provided seed funding for the Academy for Leadership and Management in Healthcare.
In addition, private hospitals have launched several other projects. For example, a R100m allocation will be used to support registrar training and the development of sub-specialist skills in the following areas: trauma research, infectious diseases, nephrology, maternal and foetal health, pulmonology, neonatal pulmonology, cardiology, foot and ankle surgery, emergency medicine, head and neck surgery, urology and infertility.
Private hospitals enhance their initiatives by having separate agreements in place with tertiary institutions that include the universities of Cape Town, Free State, Limpopo, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, North-West and Kwa-Zulu-Natal.
Partnerships and Support for Non-Governmental Organisations
Partnerships between private and public health organisations are crucial because combined expertise reach a greater number of vulnerable citizens. Private hospitals embrace partnerships with the Departments of Health and public institutions. Since 2013 private hospitals have partnered with non-governmental organisations such as: The Sunflower Fund, Wheelchair Tennis SA, Move-It Matters, Changing Faces, Changing Lives, Drink1 Give 1, The Sandy Segal Winter Drive; Gift Boxes for Premature Babies and Habitat For Humanity.
Reach for a Dream, which gives terminally ill children the experiences they want before they pass on, has also partnered with some members. Mini cars brought into children’s wards by one member organisation is another unique programme that provides a pleasant diversion to long-term juvenile patients. They are often seen driving through designated hospital wards.
Finally, private hospitals offer a variety of services to trauma patients, including counselling for students who reside in high-risk locations, treatment and counselling for sexual assault victims and outpatient care for victims of violent crime.
The private hospital sector has made significant investments, in terms of finances, skills and expertise. In response to the various healthcare challenges confronting the country, to assist with providing access to quality healthcare for all South Africans. Together, building a healthcare system that serves the country and all its citizens.