The South African Association for Bioethics and Health Law or SAABHL was founded during 2024 in order to bring together lawyers, healthcare providers, bioethicists and academics into a single forum in order to discuss the fast-paced developments in and the future of South African health law, with a focus on the regulatory environment in which the public and private health sectors operate and have operated historically. The vast majority of those dealing with healthcare-related regulations and legislation in South Africa have done so and are doing so in isolation. The SAABHL presents a unique and pioneering opportunity to bring those constituencies and expertise together in one forum to foster learning and share thoughts, ideas and approaches.

The establishment of SAABHL is an exciting chapter in the development of healthcare law, from a regulatory perspective in South Africa - a first of its kind and a unique opportunity for persons dealing with any manner of legislation, regulation or ethical rules to trade in and expand expertise in the field of South African health law and to join and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our colleagues in the field of healthcare law internationally.

The stated objectives and powers of the Association are primarily to protect and preserve the integrity of SAABHL and in so doing

• to advance the interests of persons specialising in healthcare law, health ethics and related regulatory matters;

• to bid for and ultimately host the 2027 or 2028 World Congress for Medical Law in Johannesburg; and

• to provide education on professional development and related opportunities for its members.