Western Cape takes next step towards universal healthcare as Health Think Tank enters implementation phase

The Health and Wellness Private Sector Think Tank will be extended for a further 12 months, following six months of strong progress and growing alignment across the health sector. This was confirmed at a meeting of the Strategic Oversight Committee, which oversees the work of the Think Tank and chaired by Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger.

Established in March 2025, the Think Tank brings together senior leaders from government, private healthcare, academia, and civil society. Its purpose is to co-create a practical provincial strategy that strengthens universal access to healthcare so that residents can receive the care they need, where and when they need it.

Minister Wenger said the progress so far has shown that real reform happens when people work together with a shared vision. “Over the last six months, we have seen a shift from parallel efforts to genuine collective stewardship. Everyone at the table understands that better healthcare for our residents depends on all sectors working together in a complementary way.”

“This Think Tank is no longer a thought exercise. It is becoming a platform that is shaping real solutions that will matter for families across the Western Cape. Importantly, this work is not about shifting blame or identifying faults. It is about genuine collaboration. By building trust and working side-by-side, we can strengthen the system together for the benefit of every resident.”

Building a unified health ecosystem

Since its formation, the Think Tank has focused on two overarching goals. The first is to build a coherent and integrated provincial health system where public, private, and civil society stakeholders work together in a single ecosystem of care. The second is to ensure that this system delivers equitable, affordable, high-quality services that respond to the diverse needs of Western Cape communities.

To achieve this, participants worked across six interlinked objectives:

• Developing a shared, evidence based UHC strategy for the province;
• Strengthening Primary Health Care as the foundation of equitable, integrated care;
• Mobilising and aligning human, financial, infrastructure, and technology resources;
• Establishing governance arrangements that promote trust and joint decision-making;
• Enhancing data and evidence for performance monitoring; and
• Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement across all partners. 

Dr Nkateko Msimeki, General Manager of the Health Policy and Medical Advisory Unit at Medscheme, reflected on the last six months saying, “One of the greatest achievements has been creating a true multistakeholder space for deep and meaningful engagement. The groundwork laid so far gives us a strong foundation to build on practically. Our focus will be on growing this collaboration through strategic partnerships and resource sharing to strengthen the health system. By doing so, we can systematically address equity, unmet need, and the disease burden in the Western Cape. We are excited to share in and stand behind this vision.”

Tangible improvements for patients

The key focus of the Think Tank moving forward will be to implement practical ways to expand access. One example is enabling stable chronic patients to collect their state medication at a nearby private pharmacy instead of having to visit their local clinic, sometimes taking time off work to do so. This aims to saves time, reduces travel costs, and relieves pressure at clinics and shortening queue times.

The Think Tank has also mapped more than 590 existing public private partnerships in the province and identified opportunities to streamline and scale what works, so that services are less fragmented and easier to navigate.

Participants also noted that expanding access and capacity cannot rely on the state alone. It requires shared accountability and shared responsibility across all sectors.

Representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Western Cape branch, Mr Jameel Kariem and Ms Kaajal Chetty, and the Independent Community Pharmacy Association, Mr Ahmed Bayat and Mrs Jackie Maiman said that they were proud to contribute to this process. "We have laid important foundations for a model of Universal Health Care in the Western Cape that is pragmatic. This platform has sparked crucial discussions and allowed for the exploration of innovative solutions. Community pharmacies are more than just dispensaries – they are key primary healthcare access points, and pharmacists play an essential role in supporting patient care.”

The next 12 months: from strategy to action

Over the next 12 months, the group will refine proposals that expand access to care, test promising ideas, and support ongoing learning across sectors. The Think Tank will also make use of the province’s existing governance structures to ensure that its work is aligned, supported, and integrated into real service delivery.

Looking to the future, Dr Tony Behrman of the Independent Practitioners Association said, “Universal Health Care is the central pillar of healthcare reform in the Western Cape which will ensure better health to more people, when and where they need it, without financial hardship. This project is a beacon of hope. Together, we will be able to offer future prosperity and health to our residents as well as our General Practitioners, both in public and private sectors.”

Dr Sugen Naidoo, chairperson of Emerging Market Healthcare (EMC), said it was encouraging to see the provincial government engaging meaningfully on the real challenges facing communities, including poverty, safety concerns, and the high burden of disease. “General practitioners already play a vital role in improving access to healthcare. By using strong research and evidence, much-needed primary healthcare reforms can help address unequal access and reduce inefficiencies in cost and service use.”

A healthcare system centred on patients

Minister Wenger thanked every member of the Think Tank for committing their time, expertise, and leadership.

“Government cannot achieve universal healthcare on its own. It requires all of us working together. By strengthening the Western Cape Model of healthcare, we can make this a reality sooner rather than later. I am deeply encouraged by what we have built over the past six months and look forward to everything we will achieve in the year ahead. Together we can create a health system that is more caring, more responsive, and easier to access for every person who calls the Western Cape home,” she concluded. 

Media Enquiries
Robyn Thomson 
Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness 
Email: robyn.thomson@westerncape.gov.za