...Making a Difference

FPD’s Technical Assistance (TA) Cluster was born in response to the changes in the PEPFAR environment.  PEPFAR has moved from an “emergency response” mode to one of “sustainability.” Coupled to this is the transition from a direct service delivery model to a technical assistance model to affect health systems strengthening.

FPD was identified as the district support partner in 5 districts viz. Capricorn and Vhembe (Limpopo), Cacadu (Eastern Cape), Tshwane (Gauteng) and Nkangala (Mpumalanga). Due to the confidence of PEPFAR in FPD's service provision capabilities, it was designated as the district partner in 2 of the most populous districts in the country.  FPD is also the facility based partner in Greater Sekhukhune and Bojanala.

The TA Cluster governance structure reflects its commitment to the principles of integration and a systematic approach to systems strengthening.

Our Goal: 

Enhance and coordinate implementation of the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS through evidence based technical assistance. 

Our Objectives:

• Transition from a service delivery model to a Technical Assistance model
• Strategically support comprehensive and integrated HIV/AIDS, STI and TB – related services through improved health and patient management systems resulting in enhanced patient outcomes
• Enhance capacity within the district management related to HAST service planning, implementation and monitoring, aligned with National, Provincial and District policies, standards and implementation plans
• Assist with policy development, support and implementation
• Enhance strategic measurement of standards of practice and innovative approaches that can be directly translated to improved program delivery
• Strengthen health systems through programmatic support in HIV-related services management systems, human capacity development, information systems and operations research

TA Principles:

• Alignment with and support of national priorities – to ensure that the TA interventions are aligned with, and supp ort the achievement of targets defined in relevant national policy documents (National Strategic Plan),
• Support of district and facility level stewardship – to ensure that the technical assistance is owned, integrated, effectively manag ed and monitored by relevant facility partners and that implementation of the plan is undertaken in a coordinated and integrated manner.
• Mutual accountability – to ensure that all partners take joint and individual responsibility for implementation and monitoring of t echnical assistance and for achieving the desired results.
• Human resource development and skills transfer – to ensure improvement of quality of PHC package rendered as well as the long term sustainability of all TA efforts
• Geographic service area planning - to ensure that TA is provided to the districts in an equitable, acceptable, accessible and affordable manner.

FPD believes that central to the strengthening of the District Health System is Leadership, and has subsequently adopted the WHO Framework, adding in a proudly South African Component of Community Services for the provision of technical assistance.

Dr Rita Nathan

Head: Technical Assistance Cluster
Tel: +27 12 816 9037
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fax: +27 186 567 0298