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Health Economics Unit - Stellenbosch University

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Health Economics Unit - Stellenbosch University

A unit in the Health Systems and Public Health Division transforming health through economic evidence

03/09/2026

Congratulations to Sahil Bhugwan, 2nd year MPhil Health Systems student in our Health Economics track, on presenting his research poster at the Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 70th Annual Academic Day (27–28 August) ✨

His poster, "Is there a correlation between life satisfaction (MSLSS subscales) and adolescent sexual risk-taking," examined how domain-specific life satisfaction, rather than overall well-being alone; relates to adolescent sexual risk behaviours, using data from the "If I Were Thabo" feasibility trial. Findings pointed to the "Self" life satisfaction domain as a consistent correlate of greater sexual risk-taking, offering valuable insight for future adolescent sexual health interventions.

Well done to Sahil and his supervisor, Prof Lungiswa Nkonki, for this important contribution to adolescent health research.

This work is supported by the South African Medical Research Council through its Research Capacity Development Initiative.

Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health

27/08/2026

Prof. Nkonki joins the ISPOR South Africa Conference 2026 faculty 🎓📊

We’re delighted to see Prof. Lungiswa Nkonki, Head of the Stellenbosch University Health Economics Unit, joining the faculty for the ISPOR South Africa Chapter Conference 2026.

Prof. Nkonki will contribute to Session 3: Sharing HTA Capacity Building Experiences, which brings together perspectives from South Africa, Ethiopia and India. She will close the session by reflecting on the South African experience and, importantly, what it will take to translate lessons from capacity-building initiatives into approaches that work within our own health-system context.

As South Africa continues to strengthen the use of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in healthcare decision-making, conversations like these are important for building the skills, institutions and partnerships needed to support transparent, evidence-informed priority setting.

We’re looking forward to the discussion! 🙌🏽

Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University

14/07/2026

Last week, 6-9 July, our second-year masters students participated in a thesis and dissertation writing workshop facilitated by the Stellenbosch University Language Centre.

The workshop focused on strengthening academic writing for research impact, with practical sessions on literature reviews, coherence and flow, argumentation, information management, and academic writing style.

For emerging health economics and health systems researchers, strong writing is more than a technical skill; it is how ideas are organised, evidence is interpreted, and research contributions are communicated with clarity and purpose.

A sincere thank you to the SU Language Centre team for equipping our students with valuable tools to support their research journeys.

09/07/2026

🏆 HEU celebrates an outstanding achievement in health economics! ✨

Congratulations to our colleague, Thatohatsi Sefuthi, PhD candidate in Public Health (Health Economics), guest lecturer at Stellenbosch University, and Senior Technical Advisor: Health Systems Strengthening at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), on winning 1st Prize in the Wits/PPS Health Economics for Africa Initiative Postgraduate Essay Competition 2025/26! 🎉

The Health Economics for Africa Initiative provides a platform for undergraduate and postgraduate students across the continent to explore critical health economics challenges with real implications for health systems and policy in Africa.

Thato’s winning paper examined the patient costs of cervical cancer screening in Lesotho, revealing that although screening services are provided free of charge, patients continue to face substantial indirect and productivity costs when accessing care.
Her research highlights the importance of same-day screen-and-treat approaches to reduce financial hardship and improve access to lifesaving cervical cancer services; an important contribution to advancing equitable, patient-centred healthcare.

This achievement reflects the impactful research being undertaken within the Health Economics Unit and demonstrates how rigorous health economics research can inform policy and strengthen health systems across Africa.

Congratulations once again, Thato! We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition. 👏

We also acknowledge the mentorship and support of Prof Lungiswa Nkonki, Dr Cari van Schalkwyk, and Prof Frikkie Booysen (Wits/PPS Chair in Health Economics) in supporting this outstanding work.

🎥 Learn more about the competition and the winners here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ7E29u2b0Uw

Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health

08/07/2026

📢 Reminder: Applications are still open!

Looking to strengthen your skills in economic evaluation in healthcare?

Our Economic Evaluation Short Course equips participants with practical knowledge to assess the costs and outcomes of healthcare interventions, supporting evidence-informed decision-making, priority setting, and efficient resource allocation.

📅 Course dates: 27 July - 13 August 2026
🗓️ Application deadline: 13 July 2026

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experts in health economics and advance your professional practice.

Register using the link in the original post below.

15/06/2026

The Stellenbosch University Health Economics Unit participated in the FMHS Postgraduate Open Day, engaging with prospective students and sharing information about postgraduate opportunities in Health Economics, Health Systems, and Public Health.

The event provided an opportunity to connect with future researchers, discuss postgraduate pathways, and showcase the work being undertaken within the Division of Health Systems and Public Health.

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and expressed interest in advancing evidence-informed healthcare through research and postgraduate study.

06/06/2026

The Division of Health Systems and Public Health is pleased to announce that it will offer a virtual short course on Economic Evaluation from July 27 to August 13, 2026.

The short course aims to introduce participants to the theory and application of economic evaluation in healthcare as well as to introduce economic evaluation techniques and analyses

The short course will be exclusively online, using a combination of live synchronous webinars and online recordings. All teaching and learning will be facilitated via SUNOnline. Online content will be spread across a period of three weeks, with students required to engage with content weekly, punctuated with online discussions and webinars.

CPD Points: 30
Course fee: R6000
Application deadline: 13 July 2026
For enquiries email: [email protected]

Link to register : https://lnkd.in/dha9SA4i

29/05/2026

Our researchers, Thandokazi Mvelashe, Thatohatsi Sefuthi and Francis Kwame Salman participated in focused thesis support sessions, where they engaged with Prof Lungiswa Nkonki and Dr Funeka Bango through individual research discussions and feedback meetings.

These sessions created valuable space for reflection, mentorship, and strengthening ongoing research within the Unit.

Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University

14/05/2026

Spotted at the Council for Medical Schemes Industry Indaba 2026 🙌🏾

After yesterday’s day 1 proceedings, Prof Lungiswa Nkonki, connected with key stakeholders at this important national platform.

Today, Prof Nkonki features as a panellist in the Day 2 session on “Contracting for Value and Outcomes: Innovation, Regulation & Performance.”

Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health
Stellenbosch University

13/05/2026

The CMS Industry Indaba 2026 is currently underway in Sandton, bringing together key leaders and stakeholders in South Africa’s medical schemes environment.

Hosted under the theme of strengthening accountability and advancing value, the Indaba creates an important platform for dialogue on fraud, waste and abuse, Section 59 reform, value-based care, contracting, pricing, and the future of healthcare purchasing in South Africa.

The Health Economics Unit is pleased to share that our Head of Unit, Prof Lungiswa Nkonki, is in attendance at this important national gathering as a speaker.

The programme brings together high-level voices in the health sector, including the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Director-General for Health Regulation and Compliance, Dr Anban Pillay, the Council for Medical Schemes, and other experts from across the medical schemes, regulatory, academic, and health financing landscape.

This platform is highly relevant to HEU’s work, as these conversations speak directly to health economics, strategic purchasing, value-based care, evidence-informed decision-making, and the broader goal of strengthening South Africa’s health system.

Tomorrow, Prof Nkonki will feature as a panellist in the Day 2 session on “Contracting for Value and Outcomes: Innovation, Regulation & Performance.”
We look forward to the insights emerging from this important national dialogue.

Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University - Division of Health Systems and Public Health
Stellenbosch University

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Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow
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Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27219389111

Website

http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/healthsciences/global-health/health-systems-public-health

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