President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday preside over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.The Presidential Health Compact is an initiative established by President Ramaphosa in 2019.It is a framework of cooperation between critical sectors in South Africa that significantly influences good health outcomes.According to the Presidency, it also monitors and evaluates components where roles and responsibilities are assigned to various stakeholders to support the strengthening of health systems and preparation for implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI).READ | President Ramaphosa to officiate signing of the Presidential Health CompactThe second compact follows the 2023 Presidential Health Summit, which built on the inaugural summit of 2018 and brought together several stakeholders.These include government, business, labour, civil society, health professionals, unions, service users, statutory councils, academia, and researchers to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions to challenges in the national health system.The stakeholders involved in this framework are integral to supporting the Department of Health in improving the health system.It initially consisted of nine pillars, with the 10th pillar added during last year's summit.These include the development of human resources, improving access to medicine, vaccines and health products, upgrading infrastructure, private sector engagement, quality healthcare, public sector financial management improvements, governance and leadership, community engagements, information systems and pandemic preparedness.The signatories to the health compact are:The President of the Republic of South AfricaThe Minister of HealthThe Minister of Science and InnovationIndependent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA)South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)South African Medical Association Trade UnionDemocratic Nurses of South AfricaCongress of South African Trade UnionsCampai gning for Cancer- Patient User GroupsSouth African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC)National Unitary Professional Association for African Traditional Health Practitioners of South Africa (NUPAATHPSA)Traditional Knowledge Systems and Allied HealthThe signing of the second Presidential Health Compact will take place at the Union Buildings Courtyard, West Wing, Pretoria at 12:30 pm.Source: South African Government News Agency