Osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disease, as bone loss can occur without noticeable symptoms until a fracture happens. According to WHO, globally, an estimated 200 million women are affected by osteoporosis, while approximately 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. This World Osteoporosis Day, the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) highlights the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and timely access to appropriate care. Maintaining a calcium-rich diet, getting sufficient vitamin D, staying physically active and understanding your risk factors are important steps towards protecting bone health.

Are we moving the needle on access to medicines? This afternoon, Charlton Murove, Head of Research at BHF, presented the EquiAxis Initiative at the IFHP Big Ideas Week Africa Workshop during a session exploring this critical question. EquiAxis is BHF’s proposed risk-pooling solution to help medical schemes fund high-cost treatments for rare and catastrophic diseases. By sharing risk and strengthening collaboration, the initiative aims to improve access while supporting sustainable healthcare funding. For BHF, moving the needle means turning research and industry collaboration into practical solutions that help bring essential treatments within reach. #BHF #EquiAxis #IFHP #AccessToMedicines #HealthcareFunding

We’re excited to announce that Charlton Murove, Head of Research at the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), will moderate “Drugs and access: what’s really moving the needle now?” at the upcoming Ideas Week Africa Workshop, taking place from 5–7 October 2026 at Innovation City in Cape Town. We look forward to the conversation!

Dr Katlego Mothudi, Managing Director of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), joins 702 to discuss the 2.88% increase in medicine prices and what this means for healthcare affordability in South Africa.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 19.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2022, around 32% of all global deaths. Of these, 85% were due to heart attacks and strokes. This #WorldHeartDay, BHF highlights the importance of prevention, early detection and access to quality cardiovascular care.

Our heritage is reflected in the many languages, cultures and communities that shape South Africa. This Heritage Day, BHF celebrates that diversity and reaffirms its commitment to a healthcare system in which people can understand their benefits and access care that respects their needs and circumstances. Happy Heritage Day, South Africa.

Tune in to Power FM today for an interview with Dr Katlego Mothudi, Managing Director of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), as he unpacks BHF’s call for structural action on healthcare costs as affordability pressures intensify.

Every rand lost to fraud, waste and abuse is a rand that could have gone towards patient care. BHF Managing Director Dr Katlego Mothudi highlights why protecting whistle-blowers is critical to strengthening accountability, trust and the fight against healthcare fraud. Protecting healthcare resources means protecting the people willing to speak up. Read the full article here: 👇 iol.co.za/the-star/2026-09-1…

Our collective voice is growing. We are excited to welcome a new organisation into the BHF membership community. At a time when healthcare funding is navigating major questions around affordability, regulation, UHC, sustainability, industry cohesion matter more than ever. These challenges cannot be solved in isolation. They require a strong collective voice, credible evidence and organisations willing to help shape what comes next. To our newest member, welcome to BHF. If your organisation operates in healthcare funding, administration or managed care and is not yet part of BHF, ask yourself: are you part of the conversations shaping the future of the sector? bhfglobal.com

The next chapter calls for bold leadership, stronger collaboration, credible evidence and the courage to challenge what no longer serves the system. 25 years have brought us here. Now, it is time to shape what comes next. Save the date and join us as we step boldly into the next era of healthcare funding.

For 25 years, BHF has helped shape conversations that matter to healthcare funding across Southern Africa. We celebrated the journey, the partnerships and the progress that brought us here. Now, as we step into a new era, the question is not only what we have achieved, but what the next 25 years demand from us. The healthcare landscape is changing rapidly. Affordability, universal health coverage, technology, changing disease patterns and evolving expectations of the health citizen require us to think differently, act decisively and be bold about the future we want to build.

Happy Spring Day from the Board of Healthcare Funders. As we step into a new season, we celebrate the spirit of renewal, growth and fresh possibilities. May the new season inspire renewed hope, fresh thinking and continued collaboration as we work towards a healthier future for all. #HappySpringDay #BHF

This Women's Day, we celebrate women who are not only breaking barriers, but rebuilding systems for generations to come. As the recipient of the Dr Clarence Mini Titanium Award for Young Achiever, Dr Aayesha Soni represents a new generation of healthcare leaders whose impact reaches far beyond individual patient care. As South Africa's first female adult epileptologist, she has pioneered the country's first adult epilepsy surgery service in the public sector, introduced expertise previously unavailable in sub-Saharan Africa, and is leading efforts to establish sustainable epilepsy surgery programmes that can be replicated across the country. Through the RISE Initiative, she has brought together specialists, hospitals and humanitarian organisations to create a collaborative model that expands access to life-changing treatment for patients who would otherwise have none. Her work is shaping healthcare at every level, advancing clinical research, influencing international guidelines for resource-limited settings, mentoring the next generation of neurologists, and proving that innovation and equity can go hand in hand. This Women's Day, we celebrate a leader whose vision extends beyond today's patients to the future of healthcare itself. Congratulations, Dr Soni, on this well-deserved recognition. Your leadership is transforming lives, strengthening healthcare systems and inspiring the next generation of women to lead with purpose. #WomensDay #TitaniumAwards #YoungAchiever

Congratulations to Ms Precious Matsoso on receiving the 2026 Dr Humphrey Zokufa Lifetime Achievement Award. A visionary leader, public health advocate and one of South Africa's most respected healthcare professionals, Ms Precious Matsoso has dedicated her career to strengthening health systems, advancing equitable access to healthcare and shaping health policy both locally and globally. Her unwavering commitment to public service has left a lasting impact on the healthcare sector and inspired generations of healthcare leaders. Accepting the award, Ms Matsoso reminded delegates that leadership comes with responsibility: "It is up to us to prevent our health institutions from collapsing. It is up to us to shape what they should become. Let us be the ones who speak about health, peace and hope." Her words captured the spirit of the evening and the responsibility shared by everyone working to build stronger, more resilient healthcare systems. Congratulations, Ms Precious Matsoso, on this well-deserved recognition. Your legacy of service, leadership and unwavering commitment to better healthcare continues to inspire us all. #TitaniumAwards2026

This Mandela Day, we are reminded that quality healthcare should not depend on where you live, who you are, or what you can afford. Every effort to improve access, and every commitment to better patient outcomes brings us closer to a more equitable healthcare system. As we honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy, let us continue working together to build a healthcare sector where dignity, access and quality care are realities for all. #MandelaDay2026

As the 25th Annual BHF Conference comes to a close, we extend our sincere thanks to every delegate, speaker, sponsor, exhibitor and partner who made this milestone event possible. Across five days, eight streams and 11 panel discussions, we explored one defining question: How do we ensure healthcare thrives amid uncertainty? The conversations reinforced three clear priorities: putting patients at the centre of care, embracing data and AI as essential enablers of better healthcare, and strengthening collaboration across the sector. Thank you for your partnership, your insights and your commitment to shaping the future of healthcare. We look forward to welcoming you back next year. #BHFConference2026 #FacingHeadwinds

Christoff Raath challenged delegates to move beyond debate and address the structural issues affecting the long-term sustainability of medical schemes. He argued that many of the industry’s biggest challenges have already been researched and well understood, with practical solutions identified years ago. His call was for regulators and industry to rebuild collaborative technical forums, work together on policy reform and accelerate implementation before rising costs and regulatory inaction further undermine access to affordable healthcare. 📍 25th Annual BHF Conference #BHFConference2026 #FacingHeadwinds

Vincent Tlala highlighted the importance of breaking down silos between regulators, healthcare professionals and law enforcement to address emerging challenges in the healthcare sector. Using recent collaboration around medicine regulation as an example, he demonstrated how coordinated action can improve oversight, support safer patient care and create more integrated healthcare services. His message reinforced that meaningful progress happens when regulators work together rather than in isolation. 📍 25th Annual BHF Conference #BHFConference2026 #FacingHeadwinds

Mapato Ramokgopa highlighted the unique complexities of the healthcare market and the need for regulatory approaches that balance competition, affordability and patient access. She encouraged industry stakeholders to play a more active role in shaping solutions, emphasising that regulators and industry must work together to advance value-based care, integrated healthcare and meaningful reform. She emphasised that sustainable change will come through collaboration, not waiting for regulation alone. 📍 25th Annual BHF Conference #BHFConference2026 #FacingHeadwinds

Ogona Tshoswane shared Botswana’s perspective on expanding private healthcare coverage while creating an environment that encourages innovation. He highlighted the importance of increasing access to medical cover by removing unnecessary barriers to entry, developing affordable benefit options and finding the right balance between regulation and innovation. He also reflected on the lessons regulators can learn from other markets, emphasising that sustainable reform requires careful consideration of both consumer protection and affordability. His message underscored the need for regulatory frameworks that support industry growth while improving access to quality healthcare for more people. 📍 25th Annual BHF Conference #BHFConference2026