PAN South Africa appoints Dr Heinrich Volmink to drive nutrition-focused health systems change.
The Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa (PAN South Africa) has appointed Dr Heinrich Volmink as its new Chief Operating Offi cer.
Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, the medical doctor, public health medicine specialist and former Member of Parliament, brings experience across clinical care, health policy and global health leadership to the organisation at a time when non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain one of the most pressing public health challenges.
Dr Volmink said: “Poor diet is one of the leading drivers of mortality and poor health globally. It has been estimated to contribute to approximately 11 million deaths each year, roughly one in fi ve deaths worldwide, based on Global Burden of Disease research published in The Lancet. The largest share of this burden is driven by chronic diseases. The evidence is clear: improving nutrition is one of the most powerful levers we have to prevent premature death at scale.”
Dr Volmink previously served in South Africa’s National Assembly, including on the Portfolio Committee on Health, where he contributed to health legislation and policy oversight. His career spans academia, governance, and consultancy, including advisory roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributions to international health policy, such as Sri Lanka’s Universal Health Coverage review.
At PAN South Africa, he will lead operational strategy to strengthen the organisation’s core pillars: education, advocacy, awareness, and network-building; advancing its mission to embed evidence-based nutrition into healthcare and public policy. Dr Volmink said his focus in this new role is to build coordinated, large-scale action aligning policy, partnerships, and innovation to shift population health at its roots. “We have a historic opportunity to engage communities, health professionals, policymakers, and other key stakeholders in a way that moves us from fragmented interventions to a coherent national response; one that makes healthy nutrition the default, not the exception”, he added.
Dr Volmink is also a Senior Lecturer Extraordinary in the Division of Public Health and Health Systems at Stellenbosch University and is actively involved in global health initiatives, including advisory roles and board memberships focused on advancing sustainable development and preventive health.
Dr Nanine Wyma, Managing Director at the Physicians Association for Nutrition International (PAN International), welcomed Dr Volmink. She said: “His unique combination of clinical expertise, policy experience, and systems thinking will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our work in the region. I look forward to working closely with him and leveraging his leadership to advance our shared mission, ensuring that evidence-based nutrition becomes central to healthcare.”
ENDS
About PAN South Africa
Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa, established in 2020, is the national chapter of a global medical non-profit organisation in over 10 countries. We work with health professionals, students and policymakers on the role of plant-forward dietary patterns for chronic disease, climate change and pandemic risk.
PAN South Africa Media Contact
Shaiyah Nosipho Luthuli – Communications Manager
Email: shaiyah.nosipho@pan-sa.org; +27 72 579 5222
