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1. HIV/AIDS

Last year, together with other stakeholders we reviewed the HIV/AIDS programme, we found that the HIV/AIDS situation in our country has not improved. Cabinet has established an Inter Ministerial Committee on HIV/AIDS. The Government is drafting a National HIV/AIDS Plan on which to mobilise the whole country against AIDS.

We will also improve the syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and Tuberculosis (TB) which is still a big challenge for us. Another major initiative is the establishment of a centre for the development of HIV vaccine with the MRC and Dr Montagnier, discoverer of HIV.

We are introducing AIDS notification which will require health workers to notify government of all cases of full blown AIDS and persons dying from AIDS. They will be expected to do this without revealing the identities and addresses of the patients.

2. DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM

The District Health System is the foundation on which we are building our National Health System. So far we have demarcated 180 health districts and have appointed 65 district health managers. This year we plan to accelerating the implementation of the District Health System, especially the collaboration with local government on the demarcation of municipal and district boundaries in such a manner that will facilitate the delivery of comprehensive district health care services. We will also improve the integration of primary health care services and increase staff at district level.

3. DECENTRALISED HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT

This year we will accelerate the implementation of the critical aspects pertaining to the decentralised management of hospitals to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by delegating powers to Chief Executive Officer who will administer and manage their resources, e.g. finance personnel, physical facilities drugs etc.

4. HUMAN RESOURCES

The training, reorientation and distribution of our human resources is one of our biggest challenges in the health sector. In 1997 we passed legislation that will ensure improved distribution of health personnel.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The people who live in areas, which were previously neglected and those who are currently underserved will benefit from the community service by doctors. Community service will be mandatory as of July of this year. I would like to thank all the doctors who have volunteered to work in the rural and disadvantaged areas of our country even before this legislation was passed. The department will do everything to ensure that community services for doctors implemented as smoothly as possible. I would also like to encourage other profession also to consider community service as a contribution they could make towards the reconstruction and development of our country. We are encouraged by the views of the dental fraternity who have indicated that dentists should also do community service. Similarly the Pharmacy Council is also considering the same for pharmacists.

5 LEGISLATION

This year we plan to table the following Bills before Parliament:

a. National Health Bill
- This Bill will replace the National Health Act of 1977. One enacted, it will provide the legal framework for the policies outlined in the White Paper on the Transformation of Health System in South Africa.

b. Medical Schemes Amendment Bill.
- To protect beneficiaries of medical aid schemes.
- To ensure that users are able to obtain a basic package of care they can afford.

c. National Health Insurance Bill.
- To provide universal health insurance to all South Africans.

d. Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill
- to protect children and non-smokers against exposure to tobacco products.

6. DRUG POLICY

Last year we passed legislation that will improve access to qualify and affordable medicines. This year we will concentrate on the implementation of the policy and legislation. We have also published an Essential Drugs List (EDL) for the primary level. The Department is working on the EDL for the secondary and tertiary care.

7. LABORATORY SERVICES

National Health Laboratory Services will be consolidated and co-ordinated at national provincial and local levels to further increase to health services for all our people. We will also move towards accreditation of these laboratories to improve quality of services.

8. VACCINE

Prevention of illness is our goal. We have so increased immunisation against polio and measles. We have introduced immunisation against hepatitis. Next year we plan to introduce haemophilus B vaccine.

Contact: Vincent Hlongwane 082 557 0978

Issued by: Ministry of Health
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