IFHE NEWS
Future of patient-centred design in focus at Cape Town Congress
The 2024 International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) Congress, held in Cape Town, South Africa from 15-17 October last year, showcased innovative strategies and sustainable solutions aimed at advancing healthcare engineering worldwide, writes Petrus Swanepoel, President of the South African Federation of Healthcare Engineering (SAFHE), the Congress’s Chair, and Sustainability manager at Mediclinic South Africa. Petrus Swanepoel said: “Hosted
by the South African Federation of Healthcare Engineering (SAFHE) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the event attracted 425 professionals from over 32 countries, offering a platform for collaborative dialogue on the future of patient-centred healthcare design. Under the theme ‘Patient-Centred Healthcare Design’, the Congress explored key topics such as digital innovation, sustainable construction, and the integration of emerging technologies in healthcare estates. Through plenary sessions, workshops, and case studies, delegates addressed the evolving needs of healthcare facilities while emphasising sustainability and patient wellbeing.” Petrus Swanepoel continued: “Highlights included a keynote by Dr. Paul Soko, Chief Medical Officer at Life Healthcare (in the southern Africa division), and a Board member of the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), where he chairs the Clinical Sub-committee. Dr Soko discussed transforming clinical service models to meet challenges in healthcare delivery. In addition,
Top left: Registration for the 2024 IFHE Congress in Cape Town last October in progress. Top right: SAFHE President, Petrus Swanepoel, giving his opening address. Bottom: The exhibition hall for the conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
discussions on technological innovation in facility management delved into advancements such as smart building automation and AI- driven energy management systems. These innovations promise to improve operational efficiency while reducing costs and environmental impact. “Sustainability also emerged as a
key theme, with sessions focusing on reducing carbon footprints through renewable energy, green materials, and waste management. Case studies demonstrated how healthcare estates worldwide are adopting resilient designs to mitigate climate-related risks.” Petrus Swanepoel added:
“The Congress also recognised outstanding achievements in healthcare engineering through the Global Healthcare Energy Awards and the IFHE International Building Awards. Notably, Mediclinic
A true South African welcome to all attendees with dancers.
Lephalale in South Africa received the Energy Award for reducing energy consumption by 59%, while Netcare Alberton and Mediclinic Stellenbosch were praised for setting new standards in sustainable architecture. “Networking sessions emphasised
IFHE’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, enabling professionals to share best practices and tackle shared challenges in healthcare estates management. As the congress concluded, attendees turned their attention to the 2026 IFHE Congress in New Orleans in the
US. With a focus on resilience and recovery in healthcare infrastructure, the next event will aim to build on the successes of the event in Cape Town, driving further innovation in healthcare engineering. “IFHE 2024 provided valuable insights and inspiration for professionals striving to create healthcare facilities that are sustainable, resilient, and patient- centred. As global healthcare demands grow, the need for innovation in healthcare engineering has never been more critical.”
February 2025 Health Estate Journal 25
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