In a bold move to strengthen South Africa’s healthcare system, the National Health Council/Min-MEC – a statutory body comprising the Minister of Health, all nine provincial Health MECs, SALGA, and the Surgeon General of the SA Military Health Services – has announced the appointment of Professor Eric Buch to the newly established Ministerial Advisory Committee to review Human Resources for Health.

This announcement was made by Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, during a media briefing held in Centurion on Thursday, 10 April 2025.

Professor Buch is a Professor of Health Policy and Management in the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences, within the Division of Behaviour and Health Management Sciences. A former Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Buch has played a significant role in advancing health systems and policy both nationally and globally. He also serves as the Principal Investigator of the Albertina Sisulu Executive Leadership Programme in Health (ASELPH), a collaborative initiative that builds strategic leadership and management capacity among senior health officials to strengthen South Africa’s public health system.

The Committee is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of outdated human resources policies that have hindered the public sector’s ability to deliver efficient and equitable health services. Its work will directly support government efforts to ensure that the country’s healthcare workforce is better aligned with current health system needs, population demands, and sustainable development goals.

Professor Buch joins a panel of esteemed professionals from across academia, policy, and health leadership. Their work will include identifying inefficiencies, proposing reforms, and advising the Minister on strategies to improve the recruitment, development, and retention of healthcare professionals.