Page 8 - MISAKZN2017

Lifetime Achievement Award
PROFESSOR MORG
Professor Mohambry Nadesan Chetty is leading a
massive campaign to transform the primary health
care throughout the country – ensuring that the
poor also have access to quality medicine and
treatment.
He graduated from the Natal Medical School in
1971 and immediately started working for the best
possible public health care system for all South
Africans, despite a ruthless apartheid government.
“The patient must be the centre of all health care
and I realized that in order to succeed, I had to
rally round as many doctors as possible so that we
could achieve this goal,” said Professor Chetty.
While he campaigned for support from like-minded
doctors, held meetings, seminars, workshops and
mobilized the medical fraternity, he embarked on a
massive programme of study.By this time he
acquired a Master Degrees in Family Medicine in
1986 from the University of Natal and Public
Health.
A year later he obtained a Diploma in Tropical
Medicine and Hygiene at Wits University.
He returned to this seat of higher learning and
obtained a Diploma in Occupational Health in
1990 and a Diploma in Health Systems
Management.
Eight years later, in 1994, he was awarded the
Humphrey- Full Bright Fellowship and travelled to
the United States of America where he studied in
Tulane University and obtained his Masters in
Public Health.
For a quarter of a century of sheer hard work and
finally in 1996, the KwaZulu-Natal Doctors Health
Care Coalition was launched with Dr Denis Dyer
as president.
A year later, Professor Chetty took over the
leadership role and accelerated the journey.
His vision for the future took shape with the
Coalition stamping its presence champion in the
cause of patients and doctors who faced many
challenges because of red tape, prejudices and
legal constraints.
Major pharmaceutical companies from abroad
“invaded” South Africa promoting and trying to sell
expensive medicines, which were out of reach for
the majority of South Africans.
“We mobilized Health Care leaders to oppose this
invasion of United States of America's entrance
into our health care system in post apartheid
South Africa.
“They wanted the introduction of the American
version of managed health care in our country. It
would be too expensive and we successfully
prevented this movement,” said Professor Chatty.
Then turning his attention to the development of
the fraternity, Professor Morgan said that he
served on the committee that guided the transition
of Medical Association of South Africa to South
African Medical association.
“With like-minded practitioners – the greater
Durban Independent Practitioners Association
(IPA) was formed. This was done to mobilize
doctors in private practice, to practice best quality
care and cost effective care” he said.
The IPA was further developed province wide with
1 200 members across 21 districts. But the growth
did not stop; Professor Morgan Chetty and his
members went onto form a national Independent
Practitioners Association, which has more than 5
000 affiliated doctors.
Its aims:
*Best practice facilities.
*Improve Quality.
*Network management.
*Develop Strategies.
*Value based health care.
*Cost efficiency.
*Up skilling professionals to provide a “one stop”
care at a level of safety and quality that is ethical
and moral and within our professional skill set.
The Association now works with a number of
influential partners,
South African Managed Care Condition (Includes
KZNDHC), Asaupa, SP NET, Health near (Need
Full Names).
HISTORY:
Professor Chetty acquired a license to operate a
hospital, bought land and built the Phoenix Private
Hospital in 1987.
“To increase capacity and improve services and
acquire funding Phoenix Private hospital,
Chatsmed Hospital, Westville Hospital and
Compton came together and formed the
Amalgamated Hospital Group. I served on the