The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has introduced new regulations for end-of-life care and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The changes aim to safeguard patients while ensuring practitioners adapt to evolving technology and ethical standards.
In Booklet 7, the HPCSA expands guidance on withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging treatment. Patient best interests remain paramount, with clearer rules on appointing a patient representative to make decisions when patients cannot or prefer not to decide.
Booklet 20 establishes ethical, legal and technical requirements for AI tools. They must respect autonomy, protect privacy, comply with POPIA and meet safety and reliability standards. AI may assist—but never replace—a doctor’s judgment, and only validated, culturally appropriate tools may be used.
Experts at a Wits lecture emphasised the need for high-quality African data, strong health information systems and improved clinician training to ensure AI benefits patients across the continent.