Rural Health Issues

Abstract

- Crisis in Rural South Africa: Rural Doctors Association of Southern African (RuDASA) Position Paper: January 2001: Crisis in staffing of Rural Hospitals This short paper aims to bring to the attention of policy-makers and senior managers in the provincial and national Departments of Health (DoH),and the Health Professionals Council of SA (HPCSA), the crisis that is currently facing many rural hospitals in thecountry in terms of staffing by Medica Officers, particularb/ those at a senior level with experience. RUDASA is seeking constructive solutions to the issues of recruitment and retention of professional staff in rural areas, and the recommendations below are given in a sincere attempt to advocate for the health of our patients, from the perspective of the frontline of health care in rural and underserved districts. - Building a Disability Partnership: The case of the Central Region The need for improved service delivery to people with disabilities is evident in the Eastern Cape Province and is probably true for most of the country. There are ongoing crises with the payment of d isability grants; inadequate rehabilitation services that do not reach those in need;education facilities are either inappropriate or hostile and high levels of unemployment are the reality for most people with disabilities In addition, a recent survey commissioned by the Department of Health nationally (The National Disability Survey, 1999) reveals an extraordinarily high prevalence of disability in the Eastern Cape.While the national prevalence is calculated at5.9%, the prevalence in the Eastern Cape is the highest of all the provinces at 8,9%.