March 26, 2002

Despondent voices seek leadership & delivery

The 2001 South African Health Review (SAHR) has made a priority in its annual report card of reflecting what South African patients, politicians and health workers have to say about health services and delivery. Produced annually by the non-governmental organisation, the Health Systems Trust, the review has dedicated significant space to the "voices" of service users, facility managers, hospital superintendent/managers, district managers, provincial managers, parliamentarians and policy makers.

What’s happening in our hospitals? Superintendents speak out

The profile of hospital superintendents is changing - although white male doctors still predominate, a new picture is emerging in which more and more women are heading up hospitals. The 2001 SA Health Review notes that it is nurses and others in the health profession who increasingly are taking the helm.

Govt lack of leadership helps spread AIDS

Misguided national leadership, particularly President Thabo Mbeki's questioning of whether HIV causes AIDS, has contributed to South Africa's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate amongst pregnant women jumping from 7,6% to 24,5% in seven years. This is the view of researchers writing in the 2001 SA Health Review, due to be released by the Health Systems Trust (HST) in Pretoria today (tues).

Financing local level health services

Although the South African Constitution stipulates that all municipalities are ultimately expected to take responsibility for district health services, there is still widespread uncertainty as to the extent or limits of such services - and especially how they should best be financed.

Despondent voices seek leadership & delivery

What’s happening in our hospitals? Superintendents speak out

Govt lack of leadership helps spread AIDS

Financing local level health services

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