The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) is delighted to announce that Dr Humphrey Zokufa will be assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer from 15 November 2005.

Dr Zokufaâ's experience as a healthcare provider in a hospital environment and his extensive high-level policy and strategic experience in the Department of Health will equip him to lead the organisation through critical changes facing the industry.

"I view BHF as central to the activities of the medical scheme fraternity and realise the influential role the organisation has to play in providing quality healthcare to all in South Africa." said Dr Zokufa.

As the industry body, BHF has a key role to play in the steps leading to the objective of a social health system, increasing access and equity to quality care by creating affordable private healthcare for a greater percentage of the population. A number of changes, including the Healthcare Charter, the Low Income Medical Scheme process, and the Risk Equalisation Fund have already been set in motion and will continue to require extensive collaboration between the private and the public sectors. It is expected that with the participation of other industry professionals, Dr Zokufa will be able to make a positive contribution to the process.

Dr Zokufa's analytical and strategic-minded approach will enable him to create value and provide impact in his new leadership role at BHF and we look forward to welcoming him to the organisation.