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Report
Achieving Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System: From Recommendations to Action Reflections from the ASSAf Session at the PHASA 2025 Conference
Year of Publication : 2025
Language : en
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Abstract (English) : This workshop, held during the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) 2025 Conference, brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to interrogate governance challenges within South Africa’s health system and identify actionable recommendations. Building on findings from the 2024 ASSAf consensus study report Achieving good governance and management in the South African health system, discussions focused on strengthening community participation, leadership, strategic purchasing, and governance research to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Key Recommendations Emerging from the Workshop:
• Community Participation: Develop a national policy on community engagement, embed participation requirements in National Health Insurance (NHI) contracts, and ensure meaningful representation of youth and grassroots actors in governance structures.
• Leadership and Management: Appoint leaders based on merit and competence, strengthen mentoring and performance systems, and create supportive, flexible working environments to attract and retain talent.
• Strategic Purchasing: Pilot purchasing reforms with clear performance indicators, improve transparency and data systems, and promote performance-based funding to drive efficiency and accountability.
• Governance Research: Establish a unified governance research agenda, prioritise political economy studies, and foster cross-sectoral collaboration to inform evidence-based reforms.
The session called for deliberate implementation strategies, inclusive leadership, and systems that empower both communities and professionals. Trust, coordination, and sustained investment were identified as essential enablers for realising a responsive, equitable health system in line with South Africa’s UHC goals.
Description : 17 Pages
Publisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Citation : Achieving Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System: Reflections from the ASSAf Session at the PHASA 2025 Conference. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2025/115
Sponsorship : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Peer Review Status : Peer-Reviewed
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