The comparative strengths and advantages –faith-based networks in health programmes

Presentation by:Dr Renier Koegelenberg

NRASD Health and Community Care Programme , SA

Ahimsa Round Table on Global Health and Faith based Communities 16-18 June 2013, Lyon, France

Presentation Outline

1. Introduction

2. Poverty in a rich country: South Africa

3. Challenges of healthcare in South Africa

4. Challenges of religious healthcare programmes

5. NRASD health and community care programme

6. Conclusion

7. Challenges and gaps

Introduction

1. Historic role

2. Current role

3. Potential - primary healthcare (WHO)

4. Weaknesses & strengths

Poverty in a rich country -SA

• legacy of colonialism and apartheid• 50% of the population lives in chronic poverty;• 40% of the potential labour force is

unemployed;• The richest 20% receives 74.3% of all income;

3.4% of income goes to the lower 30% of population

• not limited to rural, remote areas

Challenges of healthcare in SA

1. 175th out of 190 countries – South Africa has 5.5 doctors per 100,000 people

2. Burden of disease:

– HIV/AIDS and TB – maternal and child morbidity and mortality; – non-communicable diseases – violence, injuries and trauma

Priorities to address challenges

• Developing strong leadership to turn around healthcare outcomes;

• Implementing a National Health Insurance (NHI); • Overhauling healthcare systems and management; • Improving human resources and physical

infrastructure; • Accelerated implementation of an HIV/AIDS plan and

reduction of TB deaths; etc.

Challenges of religious healthcare

1. Competition for scarce resources; 2. Unintended negative consequences of donor

principles – E.g. PEPFAR ART programme– Global Fund programme– Financial concepts versus caring communities

NRASD Programme

• Developing strong leadership to turn around healthcare outcomes;

•The ambiguity of religious communities •Responding to shortage of doctors, nurses• Establishing smart partnerships

Conclusion

• Tension: a biomedical versus a holistic and human behaviour approach

• Tension: investment language versus caring communities

• Challenge: cooperation between sectors

Challenges/gaps

• Balance between emergency, vertical responses - more horizontal, sustainable solutions

• Flexibility & smart partnerships• Challenge to keep qualified staff • Foster inter-sectoral partnerships (leverage)• Community system strengthening – based on

local needs