by Roma Ramphal
Provincial Differentiated Care Manager
As we approach January 2025, the launch of the CCMDD Health Talk Handbook across all health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal marks a transformative step in the 'ikhemisi eduze nawe' (pharmacy close to you) programme.
Nonhlanhla Masondo – eThekwini District Department of Health Deputy Director for Clinical Programmes – reviews the CCMDD Health Talk Handbook.
This initiative is more than just a guide ‒ it represents a paradigm shift in how we address challenges in implementing the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) Programme.
Over the past decade, the CCMDD Programme has brought significant advancements in medicine access and patient convenience. However, persistent challenges such as low patient enrolment and gaps in identifying eligible patients often see 'training' as the default solution. When a facility underperforms, the reflex response is to conduct another round of training. But as Albert Einstein wisely noted, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
The CCMDD Health Talk Handbook takes a different approach ‒ empowering healthcare workers (HCWs) to become patient educators and advocates for CCMDD. When HCWs engage patients directly, not only do they disseminate critical information, but they also reinforce their understanding of the programme. As the saying goes, "When we teach, we learn". This dual benefit builds capacity at the grassroots level, ensuring sustainable knowledge transfer within the healthcare system.
The handbook is designed as a practical tool to guide HCWs in delivering impactful information sessions to patients. It covers topics such as:
- The CCMDD process and its benefits.
- How to access pick-up points.
- The importance of adherence to chronic medicine.
- Script renewals and Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) messaging to integrate HIV programmes seamlessly.
The content not only contains structured scripts for eight key health-talk topics related to the CCMDD Programme, but also guides HCWs on patient engagement and how to encourage post-talk feedback.
Using the handbook shifts the focus from top-down re-training to bottom-up empowerment. By equipping HCWs with the right tools, we enable them to educate patients, create demand for CCMDD, and ultimately, drive programme success.
While the initial framework for the handbook was developed by Roma Ramphal (Health Systems Trust's Provincial Differentiated Care Manager), it has evolved into a robust and collaborative tool, thanks to the invaluable input of the KwaZulu-Natal CCMDD Task Team and the Provincial Department of Health's HIV and AIDS / STI / TB (HAST) Division. The handbook is therefore a product of shared expertise and commitment, created for KwaZulu-Natal, by KwaZulu-Natal.
Starting in January 2025, every health facility in KwaZulu-Natal will implement the CCMDD Health Talk Handbook as part of routine patient care. This roll-out signifies a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive patient engagement. By empowering HCWs to educate and advocate, we are generating a ripple effect ‒ patients who are better informed are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans and encourage others to join the programme.
This initiative underscores the importance of data-driven solutions. Instead of repeating the same training cycles, we now address gaps by empowering those at the frontlines. The handbook is a step forward in creating a culture of education, advocacy and shared responsibility within the healthcare system.
The CCMDD Health Talk Handbook is not merely a tool; it is a symbol of innovation and collaboration, paving the way for a brighter future in chronic medicine management.