Towards Integrated, Person-Centered Primary Health Care in South Africa 

Category

Health in Africa Series

Pillar

Network Learning & Development

What does it take to transform primary health care in a complex and evolving health system? 

South Africa is undertaking important reforms to strengthen its health system and primary health care (PHC) platform. Over the past 15 years, the country has made substantial progress in managing HIV, tuberculosis, and a growing range of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. With strengthened, integrated PHC and continued steps towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), South Africa is working to strengthen a health system that puts people at the center of care. 

In the next episode of the Health in Africa Series, Ms Jeanette R. Hunter, Deputy Director General, National Department of Health, South Africa, will share key insights from the country’s health reform journey, the strategies shaping care delivery, and lessons from South Africa’s experience that may inform PHC strengthening efforts across African health systems.

What You Will Learn: 

• The evolution of South Africa’s disease burden and key health trends over the past decade. 

• Innovative approaches in community and facility-based PHC, including the Community Health Worker programme, school health services, and environmental health initiatives. 

• Lessons for achieving integrated, person-centered care that can be adapted across African health systems.

Join policy makers, health implementers, NGOs, civil society actors, and academic leaders to learn from one of South Africa’s foremost health system leaders about building stronger and more responsive primary health care systems.

Speaker

Ms. Jeanette Hunter is the Deputy Director General for Primary Health Care at the National Department of Health (NDoH) of South Africa and has worked in senior management positions in and outside of the public sector for the past 30 years. Successful application of theory and an understanding of the service delivery environment have enabled her to lead the development and implementation of key health system strengthening policies and strategies in South Africa.