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The Deputy Health Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has identified the district health system as a vehicle through which primary health care can be improved to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.
He was one of the guest speakers during a two-day conference to assess South Africa’s progress in delivering improved primary health care services that concluded in East London on Thursday.
He stressed that the foundation of the health care system will playe a critical role in achieving the objectives of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“To strengthen the health system we must improve on infrastructure, improve electronic record keeping, better financial management and staffing.” However, Dr Dhlomo also drove home the point that citizens also needed to take initiative for their health.
Meanwhile, the Depatment's national spokesperson, Foster Mohale, said the primary health care system is the most inclusive, equitable, cost-effective, and efficient approach accessible to about 86% of South Africa’s population.
“It is important that we assess the progress we have made and make recommendations on how we can bring improved services to the community," he said.
The various presentations given to the 350 delegates, including representatives from the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of the public health sector in collaborating with private practitioners to achieve the goals of universal health care and the NHI by 2030.
Traditional health practitioners and members of the private sector were urged to comply with set regulations and collaborate with the public sector for research purposes to gauge the progress of the country’s PHC.
The conference concluded with health workers reaffirming their commitment to attaining the objective of universal health care and recognising the right of all people to access quality health services.
