East London, South Africa – Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla has called for increased training, supervision, and discipline within South Africa’s healthcare system. This comes in response to several incidents that have raised concerns about the quality of care in healthcare facilities.
According to South African Government News Agency, speaking at the South African Primary Health Care (SAPHC) two-day conference in East London, Eastern Cape, Dr. Phaahla referenced a tragic incident involving a young woman in the Eastern Cape who lost her life after seeking care following a sexual assault. Despite the availability of guidelines like the Adult Primary Care Model, this incident, according to the Minister, highlights significant gaps in the healthcare system.
The Minister pointed out that incidents like these across South Africa underscore the need for more attention to be paid to the training of healthcare professionals, as well as improved supervision and progressive discipline within the sector.
Dr. Phaahla also emphasized the need to strengthen the Environmental Health Programme, which is crucial for the prevention, early detection, and management of waterborne and foodborne illnesses, as well as addressing air pollution issues. He called for an increase in the number of environmental health officers appointed by municipalities.
Another critical issue raised by the Minister was the security services at primary healthcare and other facilities. He described the lack of proper security as a costly challenge that adds stress to health workers, hindering their ability to perform their duties effectively.
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and adhere to the National Development Plan 2030, Dr. Phaahla reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening the primary health care approach at the community level. He underscored the importance of implementing Universal Health Coverage to bolster health systems not just in South Africa, but globally.
However, Dr. Phaahla highlighted that inequity remains a significant challenge within the health system. He pointed out the disparity between private and public sector health expenditure, which exacerbates inequity.
The government, along with stakeholders and partners, is striving to facilitate a socially and economically productive life for all South Africans, with primary health care being key to this goal. Dr. Phaahla mentioned the growth in usage of primary healthcare services, with 120 million visits recorded in 2013, and the subsequent pressure on facilities, leading to the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution program.
In line with the 2018 Astana Declaration on primary healthcare, South Africa plans to increase capacity-building in health, support research, and share knowledge and experiences while learning from other provinces and countries.