About Us
Meet the team
RuDASA has an active Executive Committee, as well as a National Advisory Committee of Provincial Representatives and Portfolio bearers. The committee administrates and manages RuDASA through transparent and inclusive mechanisms that encourage all RuDASA members to contribute their experiences and opinions.
Provincial Representatives function as a link between provincial health care workers and the RuDASA Executive committee. The reps report provincial issues that require RuDASA attention to the National Advisory Committee and communicate back to provincial health care workers/members. The reps coordinate the Provincial RuDASA Committee and facilitate periodical provincial committee meetings by telecon or otherwise.
The reps also act as the face for RuDASA in the province for local health care workers, government, stakeholders and the media, and represent RuDASA in provincial events, such as meetings with the Provincial Department of Health.
Provinces are encouraged to set up provincial committees to reach more health care workers via email and teleconferences, in order to amplify grassroots voices at a national level, provide feedback from the national committee and to obtain representative opinions on key issues from health care workers at district & sub-district level. This improves transparency, and ensures that the issues at district level link with the national committee.
Executive Committee 2024-2025
Chairperson
Dr. Asafika Mbangata
Vice Chair
Dr.
Treasurer
Dr. Nhlakanipho Gumede
Secretary
Dr. John D Lotz
Past Chairperson
Dr. Lungi Hobe
Rural Health Conference
Dr.
RHAP
Dr. Russell van Rensburg
Mentoring
Dr. Madeleine Muller
Young Professionals
Dr. Thapelo Molotsi and Caroline Gwangwa
Students
Joshua Gaunt
National Portfolios
RuDASA Office Coordinator
Stephanie Homer
Stop Stock Outs Project
Dr. Indira Govender
Rural Mental Health
Dr. Meba Kanda
Rural Doctor of the Year
Stephanie Homer
Key Partners
Rural Health Advocacy Project:
RHAP is a partnership initiative between the Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA), the Wits Centre for Rural Health (WCRH) and Section27, incorporating the AIDS Law Project. RHAP’s work revolves around the constitutional right of rural and remote communities to have equitable access to comprehensive, quality health care. The RHAP aims to facilitate self-advocacy, generate debate, monitor implementation of health policies in rural areas, and influence pro-equity decision-making that is in tune with local rural realities.
StopStockOuts Project
Stop Stock-Outs is an initiative launched by MSF, the RHAP, RuDASA, SA HIV Clinician’s Society, SECTION27 and the TAC. The objective is to assist the thousands of health care users whose lives remain threatened by essential medication stock outs. The project crowdsources stock out reports from patients, healthcare workers and sentinel surveyors, mapping the reported cases and tracking specific issues. All reports are escalated through the supply chain and resolution sought through the direct engagement of civil society with accountable government individuals and entities.
Rural Nursing South Africa
RuNurSA aims to strengthen rural nursing leadership to influence change and improve rural health equitable access and quality nursing care in South Africa.
Rural Rehab South Africa
RuReSA is a network of rehabilitation professionals who are passionate about supporting and developing rural services. Members have the chance to input on policy and best practice models, give and receive personal and professional support, work with universities to promote rural-friendly curricula and encourage students to go rural.
Professional Association of Clinical Associates South Africa
Clinical Associates are a new category of health care professionals who will help in the improvement of the health care system and well-being of communities in South Africa. This profession was introduced as one of the government’s strategy to achieve its solution in strengthening health care in South Africa. PACASA was formed to make sure voices of Clinical Associates are heard.
Section 27
SECTION27 is a public interest law centre that seeks to influence, develop and use the law to protect, promote and advance human rights. Their activities include research, advocacy and legal action to change the socio-economic conditions that undermine human dignity and development, prevent poor people from reaching their full potential and lead to the spread of diseases that have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable and marginalised people.
South Africa HIV Clinicians Society
The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society is a membership organisation of over 3 000 health care workers with an interest in HIV. The Society’s mission is to promote evidence-based, quality HIV healthcare in Southern Africa. The Society’s membership includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals working in the field of HIV.
Eastern Cape Non-Governmental Coalition
ECNGOC was established in 1995 as a collective of non-governmental, faith and community based organizations, in the Eastern Cape, committed to changing conditions for the worst affected in South Africa. The ECNGOC is recognised as the most representative structure of the development sector in the Eastern Cape Province. It plays a significant advocacy role in many consultative stakeholder forums and government-led development structures and processes.
Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health
The Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, at the University of Stellenbosch, coordinates and supports training and research initiatives in rural and underserved communities.
Wits Centre for Rural Health
The Wits Centre for Rural Health, at the University of the Witwatersrand, focuses on Nurturing rural students, Undergraduate Education, Postgraduate Education and Training, Development of primary health care, Research, Contribution to policy and the Clinical Associates programme
UKZN Centre for Rural Health
The UKZN Centre for Rural Health, at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, works to improve the health of rural communities through research, capacity building and advocacy.
Rural Health Support Network
The Rural Health Support Network, at the University of Cape Town, aims to recruit and retain healthcare workers in rural communities, both by recruiting students from rural communities and by also arranging placements of UCT health science students in rural health facilities to promote their interest in rural healthcare.