The SAOA is very much aware of what appears to be an intensified effort by certain entities to impose their will on practices in the form of unjustified practice audits . In this regard, the entities concerned have been contacted with engagements scheduled. In essence, the SAOA has requested that these random audits cease forthwith. Members will be updated accordingly.
MEDICAL SCHEME AUDIT EXPERIENCE
REMINDER
As per above, the SAOA continues to address undesirable practices by medical schemes which include unreasonable practice audits, withholding of funds owed to practices for professional services rendered and clawbacks. The South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) is also preparing for legal action against one of the major medical schemes relating to practice audits and clawbacks and is reaching out to other associations whose members may have had negative experiences from forensic units of medical schemes.
To provide the required evidence and support for intended actions against the schemes concerned, information relating to negative experiences of members would be appreciated. To this end, if not already done , where applicable, please complete the survey by clicking on the link provided
Regulations relating to the Certificate of Need for health establishments and health agencies were published in the Government Gazette on 15 June 2021 , giving interested parties one month to respond. The SAOA applied for an extension, as did other professions, which was granted and thus submissions became due on 15 August 2021.
Having solicited the opinion of members via a survey regarding the concept of the Certificate of Need, the vast majority of whom opposed the CON, the SAOA submitted a comprehensive response to the Director General of Health, highlighting concerns, from a practical perspective, and in principle, objected to the regulations, as published. To view the SAOA submission, click here.
COVID-19 REINFECTION TWICE AS LIKELY IN THE UNVACCINATED — CDC STUDY
A study, published as part of the strong Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), found that unvaccinated people had 2.34 times greater odds of reinfection compared with fully vaccinated individuals.
The residents were aged 18 or older and had previous COVID-19 infections in 2020 and experienced a second infection between May and June 2021 – the time period that aligns with the emergence and spread of the Delta variant.
"If you have had COVID-19 before, please still get vaccinated," said CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky in a statement. "This study shows you are twice as likely to get infected again if you are unvaccinated. To view the full article, click here.
HPCSA’S NEW PRESIDENT PONDERS THE POISONED CHALICE
On the kindest reading, the guardedness of Prof Mbulaheni Simon Nemutandani, the new President of the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) is understandable – he inherited a controversial and allegedly dysfunctional, outfit, writes Chris Bateman in an exclusive interview for MedicalBrief with the former dentist and public health expert.
Bateman, health journalist and former news editor of the SA Medical Journal, writes:
The HPCSA was established in 1974 via legislation to provide for control over the education, training and registration of health professionals under the Health Professions Act. When challenged with the view that the council’s track record is miserable and its image battered, (the evidence over the past decade is damning), Nemutandani is silent, but he forcefully rejects any contention that it’s dysfunctional. He provides all his comments in writing after declining an online, face-to-face MedicalBrief interview, asking instead for questions to be e-mailed. To view the full article, click here.
THERE’S A SHORTAGE OF CONTACT LENS SOLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
For South Africans who rely on contact lenses, finding the correct chemical solution for cleaning and disinfecting them has become a struggle in recent months. The shortage follows a far-reaching voluntary recall of contact lens solution products by one of the world's largest suppliers.
More than 150 million people worldwide rely on contact lenses as a form of vision correction, therapeutics, or cosmetics, according to researchers at the University of Birmingham. And while contact lenses are seen as an alternative to traditional glasses, they're not maintenance free. To view the full article, click here
Date: Thursday 2 September 2021 | Time: 18h30 to 20h30
Completion of the Questionnaire allows you to CHOOSE the Webinars that are of interest to you and MUST NOT be seen as Registration to the Webinar. REGISTRATION is REQUIRED FOR EVERY WEBINAR to ensure access.
NOTE: Upon receipt of the email with the LINK from marketing@saoa.co.za, you are required to: Step 1:Click button below to view all topics Step 2:Complete the 3 questions Step 3. Submit the form to ensure acceptance of your registration . The unique password will be sent to join the webinar.
REGISTRATIONS ARE MANDATORY AND CLOSE at 4pm on the date of each WEBINAR.
Based on repeated requests from members, please note that patient-friendly educational pamphlets are now in stock which are available to Members in Good Standing at low cost. Over the years, such pamphlets have proven to be a valuable assistance to practitioners in terms of patients’ eye health education and awareness. The pamphlets currently in stock, include:
Digital Devices
Dry Eye
Spectacle Care
Vision Conditions
Drivers Guide to Vision
The pamphlets are available in packs of 50, costed as follows:
