| Summary |
Reassertion of the critical role of the district hospital. |
| More Details |
The District Hospital serves three critical roles in a well-functioning district health system, namely to: provide support to health workers in clinics and community services, both in terms of clinical care and public health expertise
provide first level hospital care for the district
be the place of referral from clinics and/or community health centres, and be responsible for referring patients to higher levels of care, when necessary.
In the past, some District Hospitals have served all three roles very effectively, and also played the added role of overall district management - often to good effect. This was particularly the case in some of the ex-homeland areas, where some health wards had many of the characteristics of a well-functioning district. In other places, first level hospitals operated independently of clinic and community services, and it was this problem that needed to be addressed through a District Health System. But valid concerns are now being expressed that the pendulum has swung too far the other way, and that some people have understood the district office to have replaced many of the functions of the District Hospital - in particular, support to clinic and community services. The national Department of Health has clearly stated that the district hospital is an integral part of the district health system. But its a message that needs to be reinforced as the District Health System is implemented: The responsibilities of a district hospital, as outlined above, are critical to a well-functioning district. |
| Publication Webpage |
|
| |
|
| Keywords |
This Item is associated with the Following
Keywords: . |
| |
|
Publications
