Join the ACOEM Delegation to South Africa
Dear ACOEM Friends and Colleagues,
In collaboration with the South African National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) and the Citizen Ambassador Program, I am honored to lead a delegation from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to South Africa in October 2026, and invite you to be a part of this unique exchange.
South Africa offers a unique intersection of advanced occupational health systems and high-risk industrial sectors, providing real-world insights into regulatory frameworks, surveillance and compensation models. This exchange enables ACOEM members to benchmark best practices, explore emerging risks and strengthen international partnerships in occupational and environmental health.
South Africa’s Occupational and Environmental Health Areas of Interest
- High-risk industrial sectors like mining, maritime and heavy industry, which create complex occupational health challenges such as silicosis, tuberculosis and noise-induced hearing loss.
- Integrated national systems for surveillance and compensation, including the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) and the Compensation Fund, which link workplace health data to policy and benefits.
- Dual burden of infectious and occupational diseases, requiring collaboration between occupational medicine and communicable disease control (e.g., NICD for tuberculosis and COVID-19 in workplaces).
- Strong regulatory framework under the OHS Act and COIDA, combined with specialized administrators like Rand Mutual Assurance for mining and metals.
- Global relevance: South Africa’s experience with occupational lung disease and large-scale compensation programs offers lessons for other countries managing high-risk workforces.
Through site visits, observations and discussions, the ACOEM delegation will have the opportunity to:
- Compare U.S. occupational health practices with South Africa’s integrated approach to policy, surveillance and compensation in high-risk sectors like mining, maritime and health care.
- Gain insights into innovative programs for managing occupational diseases (tuberculosis, silicosis, COVID-19) and return-to-work strategies in resource-intensive industries.
- Establish partnerships with NIOH, NICD, SASOM and academic hospitals for joint studies on occupational exposures, infectious disease control and workplace safety.
- Learn from South Africa’s training models for occupational medicine specialists and explore CPD alignment with ACOEM standards.
- Understand how South Africa integrates compensation, rehabilitation, and surveillance under COIDA and OHS Act is valuable for shaping U.S. programs and global guidelines.
- Build relationships with government authorities, industry leaders and professional societies to strengthen ACOEM’s international footprint.
The delegation will convene Cape Town on October 24, 2026, and conclude on October 30, 2026. A
Preliminary Schedule of Activities is available, along with additional details on the
ACOEM Delegation Communication Site.
As part of Cultural Vistas’ Citizen Ambassador Program, an independent, private citizen initiative, delegates are responsible for their own program costs. The estimated cost per delegate is $5,550, which includes ground transportation, professional and cultural activities, accommodations, most meals and other program-related expenses. International airfare is not included.
For many professionals, this program may qualify as a continuing education expense and could be tax-deductible. Please consult your personal tax advisor for guidance.
We also encourage you to invite a travel companion to share this experience. A parallel program focused on the culture, history and cuisine of the region will be arranged for accompanying guests during professional sessions.
An option for a
cultural extension to Kruger National Park will be offered, allowing you to experience the natural wonder of the region, while searching for “Big Five” in your African safari. Details will be shared as the program is finalized.
To enroll, please complete the
Delegation to South Africa Application.
Due to the extensive planning required,
we kindly ask that you respond with your intentions by April 1, 2026. If you are unable to accept this invitation, you may recommend a colleague as an alternate delegate or suggest a qualified professional who would contribute meaningfully to the dialogue.
If you have any questions, please contact the Citizen Ambassador Program at
citizenambassador@culturalvistas.org.
We are thrilled to offer this opportunity and hope you will consider joining us in South Africa.
Warm regards,
Douglas W. Martin, MD, FACOEM, FAAFP, FIAIME
ACOEM Past President (2022-2023)