Publications
HST provides free electronic access to over 500 health systems research related reports, publications and papers. Close to 300 of these are publications that have been commissioned and funded by the Trust. Topics include among others district systems development, drug supply management, human resource development, informatics, legislation, finance, environmental health, mental health, lessons learnt, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases / HIV/AIDS. The main publication of the HST is the annual South African Health Review. From 2005 all HST publications will be available in low resolution only. To explore the range of publications HST offers use the Advanced search to search using a variety of criteria.

Message from the CEO

2006/07 was a year of consolidation for many HST projects, but also a time to redirect our strategy and develop new areas of work.

Key achievements and outputs from HST clusters during this year include the management of a large number of relevant Research projects. The Mother and Child research group have published extensively and expanded the original Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) project, to include further mother and child health research projects. HSTs research into health systems components of tuberculosis control produced several sound reports and continues to grow as an important focus. In response to the need for detailed infrastructure information on Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities for planning, HST assisted the National Department of Health with two important audits a review of available PHC infrastructure information, and an audit of health information management infrastructure in all provinces.

The District Supoprt and Community Development cluster released a much needed Guidebook for District Hospital Managers and expanded its projects to include a new national partnership with the University Research Committee (URC) on strengthening counselling and testing (C&T) services, while continuing the Integrated Primary Health Care (IPHC) partnership in national health systems development with Management Sciences for Health (MSH). The Mpumalanga project focusing on HIV prevention and anti-retroviral treatments (ART) literacy continued to gain ground, and the Integrated Nutrition Project (INP) continues to build an effective model of a comprehensive strategy for nutrition and food security. The clusters collaboration with regional organisations continued through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) project on enhancement of the syndromic management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) research on STI management in the private sector and through its partnership with the Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Centre.

HealthLink consolidated the National Health Information Systems (NHIS) and monitoring and evaluation projects, and produced a range of guidelines and tools to support the NHIS. The appointment of Ms Ronel Visser as Director has ensured that use of health information is integrated across all HST projects. The publication of the 2005/06 District Health Barometer (DHB) was well received and recognised in national and international forums and publications. The 2006 South African Health Review (SAHR) was launched in November 2006, and work commenced on the 2007 SAHR focussing on the role of the private sector within the South African health system. Our Equity Gauge and Governance projects, as well as Global Equity Gauge Alliance and the Global Health Watch continued to play an important role in highlighting equity, and building capacity to address equity from a community to an international level. Following a review of the project, the Treatment Monitor shifted focus to researching and advocating gender related aspects of access to HIV & AIDS care and to the integration of HIV & AIDS prevention and care into comprehensive reproductive health services.

HST celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2007, and it was considered an opportune time to update our strategy following the review conducted in 2006. HST will increasingly focus on key content areas of governance of the health system, assessing and strengthening management systems, supporting the PHC approach, as well expanding research and support to priority programme areas. To enhance effectiveness in these focus areas, HST will be identifying opportunities and partners to support health systems development within the region, managing strategic relationships and partnerships more effectively, building internal capacity and systems in the organisation, and improving the communication and marketing of HSTs outputs. Planning also commenced for a national conference scheduled for October 2007 to review and share HSTs contribution to the health system as part of our 15th anniversary celebration.

Many partner organisations and grantees have continued to support HSTs work, and are thanked for their role in our success. Particular appreciation goes to HST funders, whose support often extends beyond providing financial resources for the work.

The Chairperson, Mr Patrick Masobe, and the HST Board of Trustees, have again provided wise council while continuing to ensure good governance of the organisation, and are thanked for their invaluable contribution of expertise and time to HST.