Ascendis Health announced that Dr Riyas Fadal has been appointed as chief operating officer of the Group with effect from 1 May 2022. Dr Fadal (47) has extensive healthcare, health insurance and enterprise risk management experience working with local and multinational companies. Dr Fadal joins Ascendis Health following a seven-year tenure at Life Healthcare where he served in various non-executive and executive leadership roles.

Prior to this he worked at Medscheme, Marsh and Discovery Health. His experience includes developing and executing turnaround strategies, acquisitions and joint ventures, and developing and executing value generating projects. His operational expertise includes implementing and maintenance of quality and risk management systems, contract negotiations, supplier management and delivering efficiency projects.

Dr Fadal specialised in sports medicine and holds an MBA degree. He is the chairperson of the Dialysis Association of SA, vice chairperson of the SA Society for Physical Rehabilitation Medicine Society, past chairperson of the South African Neuro Rehabilitation Society. He is an appointed member of the Council of Medical Schemes panel to review prescribed minimum benefits and was appointed in 2020 to the World Health Organisation Parkinson Committee to develop clinical and funding protocols.

Dr Fadal is a fellow of the Global Health Leadership Forum. In this newly created position Dr Fadal will be responsible for managing the operating companies in the Group and will report to Cheryl-Jane Kujenga, the chief financial officer and interim chief executive officer. Dr Fadal's appointment as COO provides assurance of a streamlined leadership transition and the board and CEO look forward to working with Dr Fadal.