The South African Thoracic Society (SATS) is a professional society dedicated to the promotion of lung health in South Africa and Africa through education, training, research and advocacy. From a fledgling society, formed in 1972, SATS has grown to become the representative society for pulmonologists, paediatric pulmonologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and respiratory therapists in South Africa. SATS has 3 key focus areas: Education and Training, Research and Advocacy.

1. Education and Training

SATS has been active in establishing training requirements and curriculum for the sub-speciality of Pulmonology and Paediatric Pulmonology. Bi-annual accredited examinations in Pulmonology or Paediatric Pulmonology are held, to enable registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a sub-specialist.

A regular annual national congress is held which provides a forum for presentation of the latest research as well as didactic lectures and workshops.

SATS has produced and published national guidelines for several respiratory diseases in adults and children e.g. asthma, COPD & pneumonia

SATS is closely involved in the National Asthma Education program (NAEP) to improve asthma education for health care professionals and for the public

The South African Respiratory journal is the official journal of SATS, and is produced quarterly.

2. Research

SATS provides several research grants annually to support research on lung health and to promote the development of young researchers.

Several members of SATS are involved in state of the art research related to the major respiratory diseases in Africa such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis and HIV-associated lung illnesses.

3. Advocacy

SATS is dedicated to the promotion of lung health for adults and children in South Africa and Africa. Regular public advocacy activities are conducted to draw awareness to the major respiratory illnesses, often linked to international advocacy days e.g. World asthma day, world pneumonia day.

SATS is closely linked with the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) to promote lung health in Africa.

SATS Executive Council Members

Professor R van Zyl-Smit: President

Professor Refiloe Masekela: Vice-President

Professor Michelle Wong: Secretary

Professor Greg Calligaro: Treasurer

 Professor Coenraad Koegelenberg: Past President