Table 1 Timeline of key policy developments about primary healthcare (PHC) relevant to South Africa, 1994–2012
From: Print media coverage of primary healthcare and related research evidence in South Africa
Date | Key policy developments |
|---|---|
1994 | First democratic elections; African National Congress (ANC) government assumes power |
1994 | ANC unveils National Health Plan premised on a primary health care philosophy |
1994 | Government introduces a school nutrition programme in schools located in poor communities |
1994 | President Nelson Mandela announces the introduction of free health care in public health facilities for pregnant women and children under the age of 6 years |
1995 | Department of Health releases the implementation strategy for a decentralised district-based health system |
1995 | Government embarks on the building of primary health care facilities across the country |
1996 | Government extends free primary health care to all users of public health facilities |
2003 | Department of Health develops Community Health Workers Policy Framework |
2004 | Department of Health introduces a publicly funded antiretroviral programme |
2004 | Department of Health introduces umbrella term ‘Community Health Worker’ for all community workers in the health sector and adopts the National Community Health Worker Policy Framework |
2004 | National Health Act legislates the establishment of the district health system as a vehicle for the delivery of primary health care throughout the country |
2004 | The Department of Public Works launches the Expanded Public Works Programme Social Sector Plan which begins s skills training and learnerships for community caregivers |
2006 | The World Health Organization proposes the training of community health workers in its AIDS and health workforce plan |
2008 | The World Health Organization, in collaboration with UNAIDS and PEPFAR, publishes global recommendations and guidelines for theimplementation of task shifting among health workforce teams |
2009 | Department of health develops the Community Care Worker Management Policy Framework |
2009 | Department of public works launches second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme which continues to provide employment,skills training and learnerships for community caregivers |
2010 | Health Minister releases discussion document on Primary Health Care Re-engineering |
2011 | Health Minister releases green paper on the National Health Insurance initiative, which includes primary health care reengineering |
2012 | Government rolls out ward-based primary health care teams across pilot sites as part of the Primary Health Care Re-engineering initiative |
2012 | Department of Basic Education and Social Development launches the new national integrated School Health Policy, an element of the Primary Health Care Re-engineering initiative |