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WHX Cape Town

Medico Legal & Ethics

Theme: Navigating legal and ethical frontiers in pandemic preparedness

Overview

The Medico Legal & Ethics Conference will convene legal experts, policymakers, healthcare leaders, and ethicists to examine the transformative impact of the WHO Pandemic Agreement on health systems worldwide. Through a dynamic programme of keynotes, panels, and interactive case studies, the conference will explore how robust legal frameworks and ethical principles can fortify national preparedness, promote health equity, and enhance international cooperation during health emergencies.

Attendees will gain critical insights into harmonising regulations, strengthening surveillance, building surge capacity, and addressing the social determinants of health—all within the context of evolving global health governance.

Understand the legal and ethical implications of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and how it reshapes national and international health policies.
Learn actionable strategies to develop pandemic preparedness plans, enhance regulatory readiness, and integrate ethical considerations into crisis responses.
Participate in interactive case studies that translate theory into real-world solutions for legal and operational challenges.
Connect with legal professionals, ethics committee members, policymakers, and healthcare executives driving pandemic preparedness across Africa and beyond.
Discover emerging best practices for regulatory harmonisation and international collaboration to future-proof your organisation’s response capabilities.

Healthcare Legal Professionals
Hospital and Health System Administrators
Ethics Committee Members & Bioethicists
Regulatory & Compliance Professionals
Public Health Officials & Policymakers
Patient Advocates & Academics
Nurses and Clinical Leaders
Health Insurance Officials

Chair:

Adv. Phelelani Khumalo

Water Research Commission (WRC), South Africa

Agenda

4th September 2025

09:00

Welcome and Opening Remarks by Conference Chair

Adv Khumalo Phelelani, Chief Director - Legal Services, Department of Home Affairs, South Africa

9:15

The WHO Pandemic Agreement – A New Era in Global Health Governance

Dr Francis Magombo, Health Policy Adviser, World Health Organisation, South Africa

10:00

Panel Discussion

Legal and Ethical Dimensions of the WHO Pandemic Agreement

Moderator:
Kwena Joyce Mabasa, Head of Division, Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), South Africa

Panelists:
Dr Aquina Thulare Department of Health

Session 1

Strengthining National Healthcare Systems through the WHO agreement

Moderator: Adv Phelelani Khumalo, RSA

11:00

Enhancing Surveillance and Early Warning Systems 

11:20

Developing Comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness Plans 

Session 2

Promoting health equity in pandemic responses

11:45

Discussion on addressing social determinants of health and ensuring equal access to resources

12:30

Break and visit to the exhibition

Session 3

Regulatory authorities & the WHO agreement

Moderator: Kwena Joyce Mabasa, Head of Division, Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), South Africa

13:30

Case Studies: Best Practices for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Interactive session with case studies and practical exercises

Dr Aquina Thulare,  Department of Health

14:00

Harmonising National Regulations and Strengthening Regulatory Capacity: Fostering International Collaboration 

14:30

Interative Q&A with audience

Session 4

Strategies for strenghting international cooperation & coordination

15:15

Exploring mechanisms for improved global collaboration

Dr Andrew Kambugu, Executive Director, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Uganda

16:05

Closing Remarks and Summary of Key Takeaways

Adv Phelelani Khumalo, RSA

16:05

Closing Remarks and Summary of Key Takeaways

WHX Cape Town

Cape Town International Convention Centre

Opening times

Tuesday, 2 Sep: 9am - 5pm

Wednesday, 3 Sep: 9am - 5pm

Thursday, 4 Sep: 9am - 4pm

WhatsApp (Message only): +20223226982
[email protected]
Phone: +20223226904
Support hours: 9am-5pm Egypt time, Sunday to Thursday.

About us

World Health Expo is the world's leading healthcare platform for deeper learning, building relationships and doing business across the healthcare ecosystem.

Our commitment to data privacy

WHX is committed to safeguarding your privacy and will never sell or provide any personal data (including email, phone, address) to any third parties. Any third party claiming to sell or have access to attendee information should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

About us

World Health Expo is the world's leading healthcare platform for deeper learning, building relationships and doing business across the healthcare ecosystem.

Our commitment to data privacy