The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences recently held its much-anticipated Clinical Associates Research Symposium on October 9, 2024, under the resonant theme "Building Bridges to Universal Health Coverage: The Role of Clinical Associates." This annual symposium, an essential platform for the profession, aimed to emphasise and celebrate the invaluable role that clinical associates play within the South African healthcare system. It also underscored the importance of collaboration, policy support, and expanding educational opportunities to develop this vital workforce.

The symposium welcomed distinguished speakers, including H.E. Ayşegül Kandaş, the Turkish Ambassador to South Africa, and Prof. A.J. Mbokazi, chairperson of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for medical education, training, and registration. Their speeches provided both an international perspective on healthcare challenges and specific insights into South Africa’s healthcare landscape, particularly the pressing needs in underserved regions.

Ambassador Kandaş opened her address with an acknowledgment of the importance of clinical associates in South Africa and shared valuable perspectives from Turkey’s healthcare experience. Reflecting on the challenges both countries face in providing equitable healthcare access, she noted that clinical associates are essential in helping bridge healthcare disparities, especially in areas with limited medical resources.

Ambassador Kandaş also introduced an exciting educational opportunity for South African students: Turkish scholarships available for master’s, Ph.D., and research programmes. She explained that these scholarships cover full tuition and travel expenses, emphasising, “It is crucial to look beyond borders in today’s world. Last year, we sent 15 South African students to universities in Turkey, and we would like to extend this opportunity to even more students this year.” She urged interested students to apply for the “Turkey Scholarships” programme via the Turkish embassy’s social media channels, with the application period opening in December.

The symposium highlighted the critical contributions of clinical associates across various healthcare fields, showcasing their impact on universal health coverage, emergency care, and maternal health. Prof. Sumaiya Adam underscored the role of clinical associates in obstetrics, linking their contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. By expanding their roles in rural areas, clinical associates can fill healthcare gaps, especially with additional training in emergency obstetric care. Similarly, Dr. Maxine Milton emphasized their role in emergency medicine, noting that clinical associates improve patient triage, manage routine cases, and support doctors in high-demand scenarios, effectively reducing patient wait times and enhancing healthcare access in underserved regions.

The symposium also featured presentations on the integration of clinical associates in primary healthcare and family medicine, as discussed by Prof. Nathaniel Mofolo, who highlighted their potential to bridge the gap in patient-provider interactions and improve continuity of care. Dr. Annelet Kruger elaborated on the role of clinical associates as care coordinators, essential for enhancing collaboration among healthcare teams, especially in resource-limited settings. The event underscored the versatility of clinical associates in addressing systemic healthcare challenges in South Africa, advocating for their expanded use and empowerment within the healthcare system. Dr. Servaas Rossouw highlighted the potential role of clinical associates in forensic medicine, where they could assist in scene assessments, autopsy support, and court testimony, thereby easing the workload on forensic pathologists and enhancing service efficiency in high-demand areas. Miss Aviwe Mgobozi further emphasized the expanding employment landscape for clinical associates, noting their critical contributions across healthcare settings, which are increasingly recognized as essential to meeting South Africa’s healthcare needs, especially in underserved regions.

In his keynote address, Prof. Mbokazi highlighted the essential role of clinical associates in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in South Africa’s rural and underserved areas. He shared that as of now, 1,306 clinical associates are registered, emphasizing their significance in extending healthcare coverage to communities with limited access to quality care. Prof. Mbokazi discussed the origins of the clinical associate program, which was designed in 2005 as a practical, outcomes-based curriculum focusing on hands-on skills rather than purely academic subjects. Developed with collaboration from major medical schools, including the University of Pretoria, the program equips graduates with the skills needed to serve their communities effectively. Despite initial opposition to the program, the perseverance of educators and policymakers has allowed clinical associates to become invaluable contributors to the healthcare system.

However, Prof. Mbokazi expressed concerns over the program's limited expansion, with only three of South Africa's ten medical schools offering this qualification. He advocated for more universities to adopt the program to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas. Additionally, he encouraged clinical associates to explore new roles within the healthcare sector, such as opening their own clinics and employing doctors, to expand their impact. Prof. Mbokazi concluded with a call for ongoing advocacy from both faculty and the Professional Association of Clinical Associates in South Africa (PACASA) to empower the profession. He assured the support of the HPCSA in guiding these efforts, emphasizing that the profession must drive its own progress to best serve South Africa's healthcare needs.

The symposium ended with a renewed commitment to supporting and expanding the clinical associate profession in South Africa. Both Ambassador Kandaş and Prof. Mbokazi emphasised the importance of collaboration, education, and advocacy to further the profession and ensure equitable healthcare access for all South Africans.