Review of Structures, Competencies and Training Interventions to Strengthen District Management in the National Health System (Archived)

Funder: Atlantic Philanthropies

A national qualitative study to assess existing district management structures, competencies and current training programmes commenced in October 2007 and was completed in January 2009. The study design was observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. It used qualitative research methodology to review current district management structures, capacity and training interventions and had as its aim the provision of information needed to inform a national strategy and plan to strengthen district management capacity to ensure the effective delivery of primary health care in South Africa.

The assessment coverage of the study included all nine provinces in South Africa, with two health districts per province selected as the sample, while its study population included district managers and district management teams from the two sample health districts in each province. Data was primarily collected by means of focus group discussions with the district management teams and faceto-
face interviews with the District Managers. All provincial reports were summarised into a national summary report containing recommendations towards a national plan of action for strengthening district
management structures in the country. The final report was presented at a National District Health Systems Committee meeting in February 2009. The detailed District Management Study report is available for download from the HST and National Department of Health websites.