The future of healthcare depends on innovation, collaboration and investment in people. The University of the Free State (UFS), through its Faculty of Health Sciences, is committed to building a world-class healthcare system through partnership, innovation and excellence.

This was the core message at the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences Breakfast Engagement on Friday (10 July 2026). Organised by Fundraising and Alumni Relations (Department of Institutional Advancement), the event brought together partners, donors, alumni, government and potential funders. Among the guests were officials from the Free State Department of Health, Standard Bank (the sponsor of the event), Nedbank, Life-Rose Park Hospital and Mediclinic, PPS, Witherow Trust, Assupol Life, Kovsie Alumni Trust (KAT), HWSETA, as well as executives from the UFS including Prof Anthea Rhoda, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic; Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede, Executive Director: Advancement; and David Marupen, Head: Fundraising and Alumni Relations. 

Numerous heads of departments from the faculty were also in attendance, including the Dean, Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu; Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni, Vice-Dean for Research; Prof Chris Viljoen, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences; Prof Niren Maharaj, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Prof Thabiso Mofokeng; Department of Internal Medicine, and Prof Nicholas Pearce, Head of the School of Clinical Medicine. 

During the event, Prof Johan Diedericks, together with the speakers paid tribute to the legacy of Prof Francois Retief, the tenth Rector of the university from 1989 until the end of March 1997 and respected medical academic whose leadership helped shape the Faculty of Health Sciences. Prof Retief’s wife, Ria, also attended the event. 

Future of health care depends on innovation, collaboration and investment

Prof Rhoda, who delivered an address on behalf of Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, highlighted how the Faculty of Health Sciences is advancing health care through research, innovation, education, and strategic partnerships that create lasting societal impact.

“Dr Paul Farmer once observed that, ‘The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world’. The work of the Faculty of Health Sciences speaks directly to that challenge. 

“Health care is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and innovation translate into better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. This is why the Faculty of Health Sciences occupies such an important place within the University of the Free State,” she said. 

She stressed that investment in health sciences extends beyond infrastructure and equipment. It strengthens the healthcare workforce, advances research, supports innovation and ultimately improves healthcare outcomes for communities.

Prof Rhoda concluded by saying as healthcare systems face increasing challenges – from workforce shortages, changing disease burden to technological change – the UFS believes that the future belongs to institutions that are willing to work across boundaries, embrace new ideas and invest in people.

Ensuring quality healthcare for everyone

Prof Phetlhu said the funders, partners, and prospects in the room are the lifeblood of the faculty’s mission. She told the guests their involvement (in the faculty) directly “enhances our ability to address the pressing health challenges of our time”.

“We are living in a time of profound change. The healthcare landscape is shifting, the needs of our communities are evolving, and the world is more interconnected, and often more divided than ever before.

“I believe that as a faculty, we are committed to learning and adapting so that we can meet the health challenges of our time with courage and innovation. Our commitment to responsible societal futures is our commitment to justice to ensuring that access to quality health care is a right, not a privilege.”

Her goal is to foster a new level of engagement, she said. “I want us to work together to create new opportunities for our students, to pioneer groundbreaking research, and to ensure that the Free State becomes a true regional centre of medical excellence.” 

The future, she concluded, is not something that happens to us; it is something we create together. This is the principle of Sankofa, that is, learning from the past while moving forward with intention. “As we move forward, I invite you to walk this path with me, with us. Let us work collectively, with purpose and conviction, to shape a healthier, more equitable, and more responsible future for all.” 

Turning ideas into institutions, institutions into impact

Ernest Mohalhlo, Head of the Free State Department of Health, emphasised that healthcare challenges are too complex for any single institution to solve and called for stronger collaboration between universities, government, hospitals, industry and communities.

He reflected on the UFS's legacy of transformation and recognised the contributions of Prof Retief, Prof Idalia Loots (the University’s first female professor), and Prof Klopper, whose leadership has helped position the Faculty of Health Sciences as a leader in education, research and healthcare innovation.

The address showcased major advances in health care, including Southern Africa's first Versius Surgical Robotic System, a recognised Theranostics Centre of Excellence, a new Paediatric Cardiology Catheterisation Laboratory, and pioneering cervical cancer treatment. These innovations are improving patient care while strengthening clinical training and research.

Looking ahead, Mohalhlo identified three priorities: investing in people and skills, strengthening integrated healthcare platforms, and accelerating digital health and innovation. Success will be measured through better patient outcomes, shorter waiting times, stronger research and a well-trained healthcare workforce.

“In closing: from Prof Retief’s institution-building and Prof Loots’ vision for graduate nursing, to Prof Klopper’s human-centred leadership, the Free State has a distinctive tradition: we turn ideas into institutions – and institutions into impact. Let us navigate with the same precision. Let our compass point to excellence, equity, and evidence.