The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is committed to identifying practical solutions on how to address the healthrelated challenges in the province.
A health-service transformation plan has been developed to ensure that health service provision is equitable between and within districts. Health services are to be cost-effective and relevant to the needs of the people.
The transformation plan has been developed with the following objectives:
• Promoting healthy lifestyles
• Contributing towards human dignity by improving quality of care
• Improving management of communicable diseases and non-communicable illnesses
• Strengthening primary healthcare, emergency services and hospital service-delivery systems
• Strengthening support services
• Improving human-resource planning, development and management
• Strengthening planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation
The focus of the plan will be on strengthening primary healthcare through sound preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care by competent and motivated staff. The department will ensure effective implementation of the comprehensive HIV and Aids strategy. In addition, it is currently focusing on a health-promotion drive on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
HIV/Aids
The Department of Health has continuously increased investment in the programmes aimed at reversing the course of the HIV epidemic, and this is done in line with the National Strategic Plan 2007 to 2011.
Significant progress has been made with the antiretroviral treatment (ART) roll-out programme. The province has the largest ARV programme in South Africa, which represents substantial progress in a holistic approach to changing the course of the epidemic. Ongoing staff training and expansion of ARV treatment service to clinics will ensure increased and convenient access to treatment.
The Voluntary Counselling and Testing campaign now has coverage in all public facilities and is also available in numerous non conventional health facilities.
Tuberculosis
To fight the disease, an additional R30-million was allocated to tuberculosis (TB) management in 2008/09. This allocation enabled the department to appoint an extra 240 staff members to help roll out the TB management programme.
The investment in the TB management programme has increased the provincial TB cure rate and the defaulter rates have decreased. King George V Hospital was the only hospital admitting and treating all multiple-drug resistant-TB patients resulting in a very long waiting list.
Food packs
The Nutritional Support Programme, implemented during the 2008/09 financial year, where all patients on TB and ART are given nutritional support packs, has seen improving adherence levels to treatment by these patients.
Lifestyle illnesses
Non-communicable illnesses and lifestyle illnesses such as hypertension, stroke, heart attacks and diabetes are among the 10 leading causes of death in the province. To address this issue, the department will promote healthy lifestyles both inside the department and within communities.
All districts have been supported to establish a multisectoral promotion of healthy lifestyle forums to assist with the implementation of integrated health-promoting strategies.
The Employee Wellness Programme and the Health Promotion Programme will be strengthened this year to enhance healthy lifestyles promotion and change risky behaviour.
Community health workers
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health consistently reminds itself that health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of physical, social and mental well-being. This is why it is committed to fighting disease and fighting poverty, and giving hope to the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
Telemedicine
The department has 37
telemedicine sites in the province. These have brought specialized services to the rural communities through the use of advanced technology. The services that are offered through the telemedicine sites are:
• Tele-education
• Teleradiology
• Teledermatology
• Teleophthalmology
• Human resources
The health-service transformation plan will address the critical issue of human-resources shortages using the principles outlined in the National Human Resources Plan for Health.
This is an important exercise because workforce shortages negatively impact on the Department of Health’s ability to reach its goals and address local health priorities. The department will be piloting some innovative ways of attracting, developing, rewarding and motivating staff this year.
Emergency services
Emergency-service delivery is available in all areas of the province. It is important to ensure that guests who are attracted to the serenity of the province and the community of KwaZulu-Natal are attended to within the specified response time.
To do this, Emergency Medical Services has been strengthened through buying new and improved vehicles to cope with the terrain of KwaZulu- Natal’s roads.
The Department of Health is focusing on upgrading and strengthening health and medical services around the province for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Areas of intervention include those at all ports of entry, motorcade routes, base camps, tourist routes and destinations, FIFA headquarters and stadia.
Contact details
Key personnel
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, MEC
Tel: +27 33 395 3028
Fax: +27 33 394 0597
Physical address: 1st Floor, Natalia Building, 330 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201
Postal address: Private Bag X9051, Pietermaritzburg 3200
Website: www.kznhealth.gov.za
Mission
To develop a sustainable, coordinated, integrated and comprehensive health system at all levels, based on the primary healthcare approach through the district health system.
Vision
Achieve optimal health status for all persons in KwaZulu- Natal.
Core values
• Trust built on truth, integrity and reconciliation
• Open communication, transparency and consultation
• Commitment to performance
• Courage to learn, change and innovate
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