Prof Lungile Pepeta the new chairperson of CMS Council
Drickus Maartens • June 26, 2020
Professor Lungile Pepeta Image: Facebook
The Minister of Health, Hon Dr Zwelini Mkhize has appointed Professor Lungile Pepeta as the new Chairperson of the Council for Medical Schemes
(CMS), the regulator of the medical schemes industry. This appointment is effective from 18 June 2020 to the end of November 2020.
Announcing the appointment, Dr Sipho Kabane, Chief Executive and Registrar of CMS said the appointment of Prof Pepeta came at an important time where the country was grappling with the increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) infections.
“Prof Pepeta’s appointment comes at a period where 15% of the population — approximately 8.9 million lives are dependent on medical schemes to provide essential health care coverage throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. The CMS will ensure that the interests of medical scheme beneficiaries are protected at all times in line with its regulatory mandate, and we look forward to Prof Pepeta’s leadership as we brave through this storm.”
Prof Pepeta is a seasoned doctor and academic, currently serving as the Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth and has served in key structures of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). He has also worked for various public hospitals in the field of Paediatric Cardiology.
He holds an MBChB from the University of Transkei (now Walter Sisulu University). His postgraduate qualifications include a Diploma in Child Health, Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians, and a Certificate in Cardiology of the College of Paediatricians, all from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. He also holds a Master of Medicine in Paediatrics from the University of the Witwatersrand as well as a Fellowship of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (USA). Prof Pepeta is currently completing a PhD in Paediatrics from the University of Stellenbosch.
Prof Pepeta has been an ordinary member of the Council since his appointment by the Minister of Health in November 2017. He replaces the late Dr Clarence Mini who passed away in May this year due to COVID-19 related complications. Prof Pepeta will be supported by Deputy Chairperson, Adv Harshila Kooverjie and eight other Council members.
Cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the Young Hearts Africa Foundation, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, has made it his life’s purpose to reach children with life-threatening heart defects like Baby Kendreya Pillay's before it is too late. Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has helped 30 children.
Focus on the Workforce this Winter
Urologists Dr Hannes Brummer and Dr Johan Coetzee, who practise at Netcare Greenacres Hospital, are encouraging men to prioritise prostate cancer screening this Men’s Health Month.
This Youth Month, a pharmacist from South Africa’s original national courier pharmacy highlights HIV prevention and effective management as key health concerns the youth should be aware of.
It has been estimated that 80% to 90% of doctors experience some form of burnout at some point in their careers. This can affect their ability to practise optimally and to connect with their patients with empathy and care. The consequences are serious, as burnout and depression are major risks for doctors, threatening both their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide.
Upbeat 25-year-old student Atang Climantine Makhubedu jokingly calls herself a cataract survivor. Just weeks before, however, she was battling the harsh reality of unexpected vision loss, which Dr Sachin Bawa, an ophthalmic surgeon practising at Netcare Linkwood Hospital, describes as having significantly impacted Atang’s daily life.
A South African first of its kind tool is transforming patient care locally by leveraging Netcare’s advanced electronic medical records system and abundant clinical data. This will help clinicians identify risk of deterioration from common causes earlier among intensive care patients so that treatment can start sooner.
Ditshegofatso Kgobisa, known as ‘DK’ for short, suffered kidney failure at 15. After 11 months reliant on lifesaving dialysis with National Renal Care, DK gained a new lease on life after his mother, Rosemary, was able to donate one of her kidneys to him.
Migraines affect 15% of the global population, causing severe pain and disrupting daily life. Neurologist Dr. Michael Huth emphasises the importance of understanding different migraine types and their triggers.
Dr Michael de Villiers explains why people can become sick every flu season and why the influenza vaccine is generally recommended every year.
