{"id":152651,"date":"2019-12-11T22:47:46","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T20:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/how-south-africa-can-build-a-child-centred-health-care-system-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2019-12-11T22:47:46","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T20:47:46","slug":"how-south-africa-can-build-a-child-centred-health-care-system-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/how-south-africa-can-build-a-child-centred-health-care-system-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"How South Africa can build a child-centred health care system | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

How South Africa can build a child-centred health care system<\/a>: <\/p>\n

Child health care remains uneven in South Africa and varies between provinces and districts.<\/span> Shutterstock<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is more than 20 years since the South African constitution first guaranteed children\u2019s \u201cright to basic health care services\u201d. This is part of a broader commitment to ensure children\u2019s rights to optimal survival, health and development. The question is how close South Africa is to realising these rights in practice. <\/p>\n

We address this issue in a chapter of the South African Child Gauge 2019 report. <\/p>\n

Unlike adults\u2019 right to health, children\u2019s right to basic health care services is not subject to progressive realisation. Children should therefore be prioritised within the health care system. Yet the state has still not defined an essential package of health care services for children. This makes it difficult to determine what they are entitled to and what the state should be held accountable for. <\/p>\n

Without a defined package, there\u2019s a danger that the drive for efficiencies and cost saving may result in a limited basket of care that doesn\u2019t address the complex needs of children. This is particularly true for those with chronic (long term) health conditions. <\/p>\n

This essential package of care needs to be supported by a set of norms and standards. These need to specify the infrastructure, equipment, medicines and staff needed to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents. A clear package will also make explicit how health care establishments need to be equipped. These would include neonatal and paediatric wards as well as emergency medical services and primary health care services, where children currently have to compete for attention with sick and injured adults. <\/p>\n

In other facets of the health system, too, budgets, building of infrastructure and medicine supplies need to consider children\u2019s unique needs. <\/p>\n

A child rights approach to health requires health professionals to treat children and their caregivers with respect and communicate effectively. Health care providers also need to build children\u2019s and adolescents\u2019 capacity to take responsibility for their own health and include them in decision making. <\/p>\n

These fundamental shifts in the balance of power between adult and child, doctor and patient have been found to relieve pain and suffering. They also improve diagnosis, compliance with treatment, patient satisfaction and health outcomes. <\/p>\n

Training health workers<\/h2>\n

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Child has called for children\u2019s rights to be integrated in the curriculum and performance criteria of all professionals working with children. These include health and allied professionals, teachers and social workers. The aim is to ensure that they are better attuned to children\u2019s needs and rights. <\/p>\n

For example, the LinCARE programme, where a team of health workers provides mother and child health care in Limpopo province, aims to reduce neonatal mortality. It does this by improving the quality of care during pregnancy and labour. The programme is aimed at ensuring that all women have a positive pregnancy and birth experience. It includes antenatal classes and ensures that women have practical and emotional support from a birth companion and kind, respectful and technically competent clinical staff.<\/p>\n

As part of current preparation for a national health insurance system, which is aimed at extending universal health care to all South Africans, bolstering the primary health care system offers three opportunities to strengthen the child health workforce and improve the quality of care: <\/p>\n