The Lighthouse Project ultimately aims to improve equity, efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery through identifying Policy-Practice-Implementation-Impact-Gaps (PPIIGs) that adversely influence health policy reform objectives.
To address these gaps the Lighthouse Project identifies evidence based solutions through developing case studies (of best practices) or through pilot projects that are thoroughly evaluated. In developing pilot projects emphasis is given to exploring public-private-partnership models that could support the development of an NHI. Originating from this process the Lighthouse Project develops policy proposals through a consultative process of engaging stakeholders including policy makers. Additionally, the Lighthouse Project is exploring models to develop district system observatories making use of ICT systems and big data analysis that will guide interventions and provide evidence of results.
The project made progress in implementing the recommendations originating from the Community Service Summit held in the City of Tshwane on the 22nd April 2015 that was co-hosted by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), the National Department of Health (NDoH), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Africa Health Placements (AHP). One of the recommendations to address the professional isolation of Community Service Professionals was to improve access to educational resources. During 2016 FPD launched a free on-line CPD portal for Community Service professionals. In the 1st phase doctors were given access to all FPDs management and clinical short courses, the intention is to progressively expand this offering to all health care professionals doing community service.
The 2016 90-90-90 Colloquium was convened in Pretoria on 25 August 2016 at the Protea Manor Hotel in Pretoria. The event was hosted by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) and was attended by representatives from the National Department of Health (NDOH), the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), USAID, CDC, HEAIDS, SANAC, UNAIDS, the World Health Organization (WHO), PEPFAR District Support Partners (DSPs), PEPFAR Prevention Partners. Additionally, there were attendees from development partners active in the HIV prevention, care and treatment arena, academia and research, and representatives of civil society. The objectives of the colloquium were to present research and findings from the South African context as presented at the International AIDS Society Conference in Durban in July 2016 and to discuss and brainstorm strategies and best practices to increase efficiencies and improve the South African health system’s performance in order to reach the 90-90-90 HIV cascade targets. A number of recommendations related to HIV and TB prevention, care, and treatment emerged from the presentations and discussion sessions. The proceedings of the Colloquium were captured in a summary report and video of the event is available via the following link: http://www.foundation.co.za/FPD/about-fpd/videos.html.
FPD who previously had been convening the Expert Working Group on Treatment and Testing for the National HIV Think Tank, was requested by the National Department of Health to expand its services to include providing the secretariat for the full Think Tank. The Project convened a consensus meeting in Pretoria on 15 August 2016, between PEPFAR implementation partners, CDC and USAID to develop a model for piloting AIDS treatment initiation for uninsured patients within the private sector. The model that was proposed was further developed and finalised and is now being piloted.
The Human Resources for Health (HRH) Conference was held in the City of Tshwane, CSIR from 28th to 29th of November 2016. The conference was hosted by the Foundation for Professional Development. The aim of the HRH Conference was to provide foundation for a shift to flexible strategic Human Resources management, anchored in a trans-disciplinary approach. The conference explored transformative changes and innovative practices in the fields of workforce planning and development, leadership, scaling up and relevant education and staffing, performance and retention. The programme will included research presentations, panel discussions and debates, all in a vibrant atmosphere tailored to open new vistas in our quest to achieve universal access to quality health care for all South Africans.
The full report for the HRH conference will shared when available.
The Doctors for Primary Health Care (PHC) Summit was held in the City of Tshwane at the Foundation for Professional Development’s Head Offices on the 28th of March 2017. The seminar was hosted by the Foundation for Professional Development and the National Department of Health. The summit focused on all categories of health professionals, including the doctors’ roles in a multi-disciplinary public sector primary healthcare team.
This year’s seminar set out to achieve the following objectives:
The seminar was attended by 47 attendees. The attendees came from various organisations, institutions and backgrounds including the National Department of Health, the KZN, Free State, Limpopo and Gauteng Provincial Departments of Health, the University of Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, FPD, the Centre for Disease Control, Health Systems Trust and the South African Medical Association.
Going forward, the following four focus areas were identified Human Resource Management and Development, Information Management, Disempowerment of Doctors in PHCs and Community Outreach.
The full report for the Community Service Summit will be available towards the middle of 2017.
