This paper investigates the implementation of ward Based Outreach Teams programme in the rural areas of the Kgetleng sub district, in the North West Province of South Africa.
The Department of Health has set a long-term goal of establishing National Health Insurance in the country. This would provide equitable and universal coverage for a defined package of healthcare. One of the key pillars of National Health Insurance is the re-engineering of Primary Health Care, which has at its heart in the development of Ward-Based Outreach Teams who will take the responsibility for specific groups of households.
In this regard, the South African Department of Health has considered re-engineering of the Primary Health Care model in the country in making sure health resources; technology and quality services are available, accessible and affordable to all communities. The North West province Department of Health is currently piloting the Primary Health Care re-engineering programme, which include the Ward Based Outreach Teams programme in all four Districts. Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. In Bojanala District, the pilot site is in ward five in Kgetleng sub district.
In this paper, the quantitative research design was used where self – administered questionnaires were provided to the Community Health Workers (CHW) and the Outreach team leaders (OTL) for data collection.
The findings of the paper indicated that Ward Based Outreach Teams contribute towards a better understanding of local health care needs, inform service priorities, refer patients to different stakeholders, and build stronger relationships between service providers and users in the communities. The key elements to practice this service are person-centred comprehensive care, collaboration between people, practitioners, and continuity of health care in the community.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND TO THE PAPER
- STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- LITERATURE REVIEW
- WARD BASED OUTREACH TEAMS (WBOT) PROGRAMME IN SOUTH AFRICA
- KEY ASPECTS OF COMPREHENSIVE PHC IMPLEMENTATION
- FACTORS THAT FACILITATE SUCCESS OF WBOT IMPLEMENTATION
- LESSONS LEARNED FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
- LESSONS LEARNED FROM CUBA
- LESSONS LEARNED FROM BRAZIL
- LESSON LEARNED FROM ZAMBIA
- DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS
- CONCLUSIONS FROM THE FINDINGS
- RECOMMENDATIONS
- CONCLUSION
- REFERENCES
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to investigate the implementation of the Ward Based Outreach Teams (WBOT) programme in the rural areas of the Kgetleng sub-district, North West Province. The study explores the effectiveness of the programme in addressing local healthcare needs, improving service delivery, and strengthening relationships between healthcare providers and users. The research also delves into the key elements and factors that contribute to successful WBOT implementation, drawing upon international experiences.
- Implementation of the Ward Based Outreach Teams (WBOT) programme in rural areas
- Impact of WBOTs on local healthcare needs and service delivery
- Key elements and factors facilitating successful WBOT implementation
- Lessons learned from international experiences with similar programmes
- Comparison of WBOT implementation in South Africa with international models
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides an overview of the WBOT programme and its importance in strengthening primary healthcare in South Africa, highlighting the need for community-oriented primary healthcare (COPC) on a large scale. The chapter also discusses the role of family physicians in supporting WBOTs and ensuring evidence-based best practice.
- BACKGROUND TO THE PAPER: This chapter provides context for the study by examining the challenges faced by the health sector in South Africa and developing countries, including the disparity in health status between urban and rural areas, low health awareness, cost of healthcare, and limited access to specialized care. It also emphasizes the importance of strengthening health delivery systems to address the needs of vulnerable populations.
- STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM: This chapter introduces the Kgetleng Sub-district as a pilot project for the WBOT programme in the Bojanala District. It highlights the challenges faced by the sub-district in implementing the programme effectively, including high rates of maternal mortality, defaulting patients, and loss to follow-up on HIV and TB medication.
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the research design, which is descriptive and employs a quantitative methodology. The chapter outlines the data collection methods, including the use of self-administered questionnaires distributed to Community Health Workers, Outreach Team Leaders, and a Professional nurse. It also describes the data analysis approach.
- LITERATURE REVIEW: This section explores existing literature related to the WBOT programme in South Africa and key aspects of comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) implementation. It examines factors that facilitate successful WBOT implementation, drawing upon international experiences to inform the study's findings.
- LESSONS LEARNED FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES: This section explores lessons learned from successful WBOT programmes in countries like Cuba, Brazil, and Zambia. It compares and contrasts these experiences with the South African context, identifying best practices and potential areas for improvement.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the key concepts of Ward Based Outreach Teams (WBOT), Primary Health Care (PHC), Community Health Workers (CHW), Outreach Team Leaders (OTL), District Management Team (DMT), and PHC re-engineering. It examines the implementation and effectiveness of the WBOT programme in the rural context, emphasizing the importance of person-centered comprehensive care, collaboration, and continuity of healthcare within the community.
- Quote paper
- Rodney Mulelu (Author), 2016, Implementation of the ward based outreach teams programme in the rural area, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428453