Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Most health care in South Africa takes place in the district health system.In the public sector, this includes primary health care and district hospitals.Although there have been improvements in health and health care, there are still inequities, many instances of poor quality, and weakness regarding community engagement and multisectoral action.Service delivery is currently challenged by budget cuts and loss of resources.Ongoing reforms are needed to improve performance and accommodate the introduction of national health insurance.The deployment of family physicians is an overlooked reform that can improve the model of care, quality, and resilience.In this Commentary, we look at the current state of district health service delivery in South Africa and comment on the potential contribution of family physicians to improving delivery as part of future health reforms. Understanding district health service deliveryPrimary health care (PHC) is at the heart of district health services, with support from district hospitals.Governments around the world re-committed themselves in the 2018 Astana Declaration to strengthening PHC. 1 They stated that strengthening PHC is the most inclusive, effective and efficient approach to enhance people's physical and mental health, as well as social well-being, and that PHC is a cornerstone of a sustainable health system for universal health coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: South African Journal of Science
Authors: Robert Mash, Jenny Nash
Institution: Stellenbosch University
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4401987753