AA 2006 Supplementum 1

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http://hdl.handle.net/11660/9672

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Browsing AA 2006 Supplementum 1 by Subject "Free State, South Africa"

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    The demographic and development landscape of HIV and AIDS in the Free State, South Africa
    (University of the Free State, 2006) Pelser, Andre
    English: Many of the current and expected demographic changes in southern and South Africa are destined to emanate from the influence of HIV and AIDS on the population structure. This article elucidates the most important demographic trends and changes to which the population of the Free State will be subjected over the next few years. Some implications of these changes for human development in the province are also explored. It is argued, inter alia, that an integrated development strategy — one that is mainstreamed with HIV/AIDS prevention and antiretroviral treatment (ART) campaigns — is pivotal as part of a comprehensive response to address the spread and impact of the epidemic in the Free State.
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    The Free State's approach to implementing the Comprehensive Plan: notes by a participant outsider
    (University of the Free State, 2006) Van Rensburg, Dingie
    This study reviews the first two years of implementation of the Comprehensive Plan in the Free State, within the national framework and amid external influences. The features and principles of the province’s approach are analysed, in particular the phased, multimodel, PHC-centred nature and its emphasis on partnerships and inclusiveness. As implementation progresses, constraints and deficiencies are seen to emerge: a lack of leadership and support, a flawed national-provincial relationship, a lack of comprehensiveness, programme verticalisation, drug insecurity, chronic indecision and lack of action, a fixation on operational issues with concomitant neglect of strategic matters, and breakdowns in communication and co-ordination. Despite notable progress in implementation, it is necessary to rethink and redesign aspects of the approach. By identifying the major lessons to be learnt from the Free State’s experience, this study attempts to inform such rethinking and redesigning, as well as highlighting lessons for application elsewhere.
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    Human resources for ART in the Free State public health sector: recording achievements, identifying challenges
    (University of the Free State, 2006) Steyn, Francois; Van Rensburg, Dingie; Engelbrecht, Michelle
    English: The shortage of human resources for health poses a serious threat to public sector ART in South Africa. In the Free State, recruitment of staff for ART emphasises the challenges of securing the necessary number and categories of health professionals. Amongst others, not all posts were filled, and some appointments left vacancies in other programmes and facilities. Practice indicates that sites should be staffed according to the demand for the service, instead of general staffing norms. It is argued that health workers who currently do not work in the programme should receive training in ART in order to spread workloads more evenly in facilities. The realities of staff frustrations and discontent also call for improved supervision and support. The study suggests that the strengthening of the health system via human resources for ART is still to transpire. To achieve this, improved strategic planning is required.
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    Initial anticipations and experiences of antiretroviral therapy among managers at ART-assessment facilities in the Free State
    (University of the Free State, 2006) Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Ega; Heunis, Christo
    English: Before the implementation of ART, and again seven months later, interviews were conducted with facility managers and nurses leading PHC programmes. Their perceptions of the impact of ART are discussed. A positive finding was that ART assessment site managers had been optimistic about ART from the outset, and by the end of the sevenmonth period even more so. Nurses leading other PHC programmes were initially concerned about overcrowding the facility due to ART, but this problem did not feature prominently during the follow-up survey. ART programme nurses’ perceptions of the problems at their facilities mostly related to staff and space. On the whole the data show that pessimism preceding the implementation of ART was in many respects allayed with implementation.