Health Informatics South Africa (HISA) 2013 Conference
3 - 5 July 2013
THEME: Empowering patients and healthcare professionals with information and technologies
Welcome Message

HISA LOC Chair
We invite you to join and participate in the Health Informatics South Africa (HISA) Conference, to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 3 to 5 July 2013. The School of ICT from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University will host the conference. The conference will take place at the University’s conference center facilities in Summerstrand. The council of the South African Health Informatics Association (SAHIA) has been extensively involved with HISA’s local organizing committee (LOC) to draft a programme that will ensure a memorable and worthwhile experience for all delegates. For example, we look forward to discussions on the South African National Health Insurance (NHI) and the South African e-health Strategy.
The theme for HISA 2013, Empowering Patients and Healthcare Professionals with Information and Technologies, touches on the importance of healthcare technology solutions that empower both patients and healthcare professionals with the information necessary to achieve healthcare goals. The envisaged sub-themes range from e-Health in Africa, to telemedicine, m-Health, nursing informatics and medical imaging informatics. The call for papers (peer-reviewed), presentations, posters, and workshops covers these areas and more.
A last important aim of HISA 2013 is to make the conference as affordable as possible. Look out for our Value Package under the conference information link, which has been put together with this in mind.
We certainly look forward to welcoming you on our lovely campus to participate in this premier event, so don’t delay – register today!
Kind Regards,
Dalenca Pottas
Chair: Local Organizing Committe

SAHIA President
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is my great pleasure to welcome and invite you to our biennial HISA conference, to be held in Port Elizabeth from 3rd to 5th of July 2013. The conference is being hosted by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on behalf of SAHIA, the South African Health Informatics Association. The theme of this conference is “Empowering patients and healthcare professionals with information and technologies”.
It has been two years since we were together at Birchwood for HISA 2011. Our Local Organizing Committee and the Scientific Programme Committee have been working very hard to ensure that you are enriched by participating in this conference
The rapid changes in technology and the regulatory environment have made it essential to all to participate in this conference. It is probably one of the most exciting times to be involved in health informatics in South Africa and we will unpack a number of pressing issues during these three days. Your input is very important for us to be able to chart a way forward for SAHIA and all health informatics professionals.
I am looking forward to seeing you in Port Elizabeth in July.
Yours Sincerely
Sven Abrahamse
President, South African Health Informatics Association
