With South Africa’s ageing population, the incidence and impact of fragility fractures—especially hip fractures—are expected to rise significantly. These fractures are closely linked to osteoporosis and are associated with increased long-term mortality. Yet, osteoporosis often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated in hospital settings. This second episode of the 2025 NOFSA Masterclass Series focuses on improving care for high-risk patients to reduce fracture risk and enhance clinical outcomes.

You will learn:

• The burden of osteoporotic fractures in South Africa
• How to assess risk of fracture and the variables that contribute to a high and very high risk of fracture
• Factors influencing the quality of post-fracture care
• Treatment recommendations for patients with a high or very high risk of fracture

Dr Farhanah Paruk
(MBChB cum laude (UN), FCP (SA), Certificate in Rheumatology, PhD (UKZN). Rheumatologist: Ahmed al Kadi Hospital. Sessional consultant Department of Internal Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal.

Dr Paruk is a passionate physician and rheumatologist. She is a committed to improving the lives of patients with rheumatic diseases. She qualified as a physician in 2003 at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and subsequently undertook her sub-specialty training in rheumatology. Dr Paruk obtained PhD in 2015 (UKZN). Dr Paruk research interest includes epidemiology of rheumatic disease and osteoporosis. She played a key role in determining the incidence if hip fractures in South Africa and creating the screening country specific FRAX^® tool for SA. Dr Paruk is involved in the Fracture E3 study which is determining the prevalence of vertebral fractures and osteoarthritis amongst other goals in Africa. She serves on the executive committee of the National Osteoporosis foundation of South Africa, is a member of Fragility Fracture Network and AFLAR executive committee and AFLAR osteoporosis committee.