The South African Thoracic Society (SATS) is a professional society dedicated to the promotion of lung health in South Africa and Africa through education, training, research and advocacy. From a fledgling society, formed in 1972, SATS has grown to become the representative society for pulmonologists, paediatric pulmonologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and respiratory therapists in South Africa. SATS has 3 key focus areas: Education and Training, Research and Advocacy.
1. Education and Training
SATS has been active in establishing training requirements and curriculum for the sub-speciality of Pulmonology and Paediatric Pulmonology. Bi-annual accredited examinations in Pulmonology or Paediatric Pulmonology are held, to enable registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a sub-specialist.
A regular annual national congress is held which provides a forum for presentation of the latest research as well as didactic lectures and workshops.
SATS has produced and published national guidelines for several respiratory diseases in adults and children e.g. asthma, COPD & pneumonia
SATS is closely involved in the National Asthma Education program (NAEP) to improve asthma education for health care professionals and for the public
The South African Respiratory journal is the official journal of SATS, and is produced quarterly.
2. Research
SATS provides several research grants annually to support research on lung health and to promote the development of young researchers.
Several members of SATS are involved in state of the art research related to the major respiratory diseases in Africa such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis and HIV-associated lung illnesses.
3. Advocacy
SATS is dedicated to the promotion of lung health for adults and children in South Africa and Africa. Regular public advocacy activities are conducted to draw awareness to the major respiratory illnesses, often linked to international advocacy days e.g. World asthma day, world pneumonia day.
SATS is closely linked with the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) to promote lung health in Africa.
SATS Executive Council Members
Professor R van Zyl-Smit: President
Professor Refiloe Masekela: Vice-President
Professor Michelle Wong: Secretary
Professor Greg Calligaro: Treasurer
Professor Coenraad Koegelenberg: Past President
Published
Oct 2023
Dr. Schewitz is an esteemed honorary consultant in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town. His primary areas of interest include minimally invasive thoracic and Pectus surgery, specifically his introduction of the Nuss procedure to South Africa. Dr. Schewitz is highly regarded as the Surgical representative of the South African Thoracic Society, as well as the Pan African Thoracic Society. He is also a member of the Chest Wall International Group (CWIG) executive. Dr. Schewitz serves as the director of the lung cancer screening program in South Africa. In addition, he has led numerous workshops on video-assisted Thoracic surgery in South Africa and Kenya, sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise with colleagues and trainees. As an accomplished author, Dr. Schewitz has published numerous scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, further solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in his field.
Published
May 2023
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