It is a matter of public record that public health services in South Africa are facing challenges. Frequently one will hear of shortages of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. The shortage of clinical staff is advanced most often as an important cause of these challenges. In addition, the reason advanced for the predicament is that public health services are underfunded reflecting the constrained financial environment in which this country finds itself. While all of this is indeed correct, a factor that is largely ignored is that as a consequence clinical posts are prioritised over what are regarded as less essential non-clinical posts. Again while this appears to be a…
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Facing budget shortfalls in the South African public health sector
In 2023 in my health blog I described the budget shortfalls facing most South African government departments. From my perspective the most pressing consequences of these shortfalls are those affecting provincial health departments. Recent developments including an open letter addressed to the Minister of Finance from health professionals in the Western Cape have again highlighted this issue. Many provincial health departments in South Africa have a history of what are euphemistically termed “accruals”, which stated otherwise is an inability to settle outstanding accounts within either the required 30 days or even a financial year. These departments have in the past been unable to remain within their approved budgets. An implication of “accruals” is…
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Some thoughts on health service management
I am often asked what are the requirements to manage public health services or a public health facility? What qualifications are ideal? Is a health background essential? What about a health related MBA? I wrote on this topic in a post dated 21st December 2021 and if these are questions that still entertain you that post is worth another read. Previously my recommendations in that post were: Time spent in the health services either as a health professional or employed in another capacity within the health services is essential. Particularly, if one is not a health professional a postgraduate qualification in public health to provide an understanding of the field…
