The Long Road to the District Health System - Legislation and Structures for the DHS in South Africa:An Appraisal as at August 2002

This document is designed to provide a broad overview of the situation with regards to District Health System (DHS)development,and is based on a rapid appraisal of each of the nine provinces. Although the DHS has been central to government policy since 1994 much remains to be done to establish a fully functional DHS capable of delivering the ideals of the PHC Approach. This document provides an overview of national and provincial legislation and policy towards the fulfilment of the DHS and describes the challenges and potential pitfalls that stand in the way of an equitable, effective and efficient DHS.