HCJ (Dingie) van Rensburg is emeritus professor and professor extraordinaire at the University of the Free State, South Africa. During his career he was the head of the Department of Sociology, and later founder and first director of the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development at the same university. His main area of specialisation is the Sociology of Health and Health Care with focus on health systems and policy, with special focus on the history, structure and dynamics of the South African health system. His best known academic publication is Health and Health Care in South Africa, in collaboration with several South African experts in the field. He holds an honorary doctorate from the Antwerp University (Belgium) in recognition for his research contributions on the social aspects of HIV/AIDS. HCJ (Dingie) van Rensburg is emeritus professor and professor extraordinaire at the University of the Free State, South Africa. During his career he was the head of the Department of Sociology, and later founder and first director of the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development at the same university. His main area of specialisation is the Sociology of Health and Health Care with focus on health systems and policy, with special focus on the history, structure and dynamics of the South African health system. His best known academic publication is Health and Health Care in South Africa, in collaboration with several South African experts in the field. He holds an honorary doctorate from the Antwerp University (Belgium) in recognition for his research contributions on the social aspects of HIV/AIDS.

HOSPITAL SUPPLY AND MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA: POLICY DIRECTIONS AND CHALLENGES