Publications And Resources
Access a range of informative resources, including our official publications, guiding principles, patient rights, and responsibilities.
Health Care System Book
In this book, Dr Mntambo examines the history of public health services in a democratic South Africa and discusses how the health care system was transformed to implement systems for inclusive health care services. The book reflects on the inputs, strategic frameworks and activities that shaped the South Africa’s public health system between 1994 and 2024. As such, this is a potentially useful reference for health managers as they apply lessons learned to address current and future challenges.
As the author reflects thoroughly on the journey of the public health care system during the 30 – year period, he acknowledges that management systems, policy frameworks and various health initiatives of the government played a useful role in shaping the delivery of public health services. Accessibility and affordability of public health services are undoubtedly the main achievements of the public health sector.
Consideration of current trends and data for service delivery in the public health sector, however, reflects significant decrease in quality and efficiency, and this is complicated by troubling deficiency of essential resources. The author explores options for improving management approaches, especially at institutional level. He proposes drastic changes to the culture of the organization in order to give effect to the principles of healthcare provision. Central to the overhauling of the organization’s culture is the need for improved systems and procedures for personnel supervision, accountability, discipline and clinical governance. He further believes that the involvement of communities through consultations, empowerment and community mobilization can directly or indirectly encourage health seeking, healthy behaviours and self-help health projects in such communities.
PHISA Foundation appeals to stakeholders, especially those in health management and public health schools to partner with it by purchasing the book in support of its health promoting initiatives. A minimum donation of R250.00 per book will go a long way in advancing health advocacy. The book will be delivered to you.
The Batho Pele Principles
Batho Pele policy is a list of principles which were promulgated by the Department of Health to promote good service delivery in line with the needs and expectations of the public and clients they serve. Public health service institutions and officials must provide services and care in line with the following universal principles:
- Users of services must be consulted regarding the services
- There should be ongoing improvement and monitoring of service standards
- There should be improved accessibility to health care services
- Providers must give courtesy to clients who are affected by actions of health providers
- Providers must provide adequate information about services and interventions
- There should be openness and transparency during provision of health care in institutions
- There should be redress mechanisms, especially where there has been negative consequences of health care
- Services provided should correspond to value for money
- Providers should encourage innovation & reward excellence in service delivery
- Providers should endeavour to provide care that has impact on the customer
- Providers should endeavour to provide care that has impact on the customer
Patient Rights
Among the oldest and best-known guiding frameworks for South Africa’s health care system is the Patients’ Rights charter. A patient has a right to:
- Respect and dignity
- Healthy and safe environment
- Participate in decision-making
- Access health care
- Insurance /medical aid scheme
- Choice of health services
- Be treated by named health care provider
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Informed consent
- Refusal of treatment
- A second opinion
- Continuity of care
- Complain about health services
Patient Responsibilities
In order to complement health care initiatives and to promote the role of the patient in service delivery, the department of health publishes patient’s responsibilities and communicates these with the users of services. The following are considered responsibilities of the patient:
- Responsibility to take care of his or her health
- Responsibility to care for and protect the environment
- Responsibility to respect the rights of other patients and health providers
- Responsibility to utilize the health care system properly and not abuse it
- Responsibility to know his or her local health services and what they offer
- Responsibility to provide health care providers with the relevant and accurate information for diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation or counselling purposes
- Responsibility to advise health care providers on his or her wishes with regard to his or her death
- Responsibility to comply with the prescribed treatment or rehabilitation procedures
- Responsibility to enquire about the related costs of treatment and/or rehabilitation and to arrange payment
- Responsibility to take care of the health record in his or her possession