Health summit opens

Delegates from Sheba Medical Centre, not Israeli ministry of health.’

- Faizel Patel

Medical aid company Discovery decided to go ahead with the Future of Health (FOH) Summit yesterday despite concerns raised about Israeli healthcare providers participating in the gathering.

The FOH Leadership Symposium, hosted by Discovery SA, took place in Cape Town yesterday.

Discovery has faced criticism for featuring Israeli speakers, including Oranit Ido, the executive director of FOH.

Some social media users criticised Discovery for hosting Israeli healthcare providers.

Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, director of the International Commission of Jurists: Africa (ICJ), said Discovery's decision to host Israeli health care officials was "tone deaf and unconscionable".

"Discovery hosting a Health Summit with Israeli health care providers while Israel destroys Gaza hospitals is tone deaf and unconscionable. Despite CSO protests, the summit proceeded in Cape Town."

Ammarah Garda said the "summit sounds innocent enough".