This document describes the priorities for the National Health Department.
Values, Policies and Rights
South Africa: Health Strategic Plan 2007/08 - 2009/10
Department of Health, 2007
South Africa: National Health Act 61 of 2003
Government Gazette 469, July 2004
The Act is intended to provide a framework for a structured uniform health system within the Republic, taking into account the obligations imposed by the Constitution and other laws on the national, provincial and local governments with regard to health services; and to provide for matters connected therewith
South Africa: Strategic priorities for the National Health System 2004-2009
Department of Health, 2004
The Department of Health conducted a review of the period 1999-2004 to determine what work is outstanding and what new work is needed to provide the necessary stewardship of the South African health system.This process has resulted in the adoption of a new set of priorities described in this document.
Human rights and other provisions in the revised International Health Regulations (2005)
Public Health 121(11): 840-845, November 2007
In May 2005, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the revised International Health Regulations (2005), which have now entered into force for WHO Member States across the globe. These Regulations contain a broad range of binding provisions to address the risks of international disease spread in international travel, trade and transportation. Important elements include multiple provisions, whether denominated in terms of human rights or other terminology, that are protective of interests of individuals who may be subject to public health measures in this international context. With the vast (and increasing) numbers of persons undertaking international voyages and the global coverage of these revised Regulations, they are an important development in this area. This article describes a number of these key provisions and some of the related issues they present.
Law as a tool in promoting and protecting public health: Always in our best interests?
Martin R: Public Health 121(11): 846:853, November 2007
The organized efforts of the state to protect its citizens from threats to the public's health presuppose some commonality of health beliefs and behaviors, and legislation underpinning public health interventions is premised on the beliefs and behaviors of the population majority. To what extent, in a public health emergency, can members of a cultural or religious minority use human rights arguments to justify exemption from public health measures on the basis of offensiveness of those measures to cultural or religious beliefs? Any such challenge cannot rely on arguments based on autonomy of the individual. The person objecting to the public health measure will need to establish that the burden of compliance will be significantly greater because of offensiveness of that measure to belief, so as to impose on the individual a burden disproportionate to the risk to health of the public as a whole.
World Medical Association resolution on health and human rights in Zimbabwe
World Medical Association, 2007
At the 2007 World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark (October 3-6), the WMA adopted a resolution with regards to health and human rights in Zimbabwe. It was prepared by the South African Medical Association. The resolution urges the Zimbabwean Medical Association (ZiMA) to address the violations of health rights in the country and stimulates national medical associations of other countries to offer ZiMA their assistance.
Draft human rights guidelines for pharmaceutical companies launched
19 September 2007
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Paul Hunt, today launched for public consultation a draft 'Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to Access to Medicines'. Access to medicines is a central feature of the right to the highest attainable standard of health. States have primary responsibility for enhancing access to medicines, as set out in the expert's report to the UN General Assembly last year (13 September 2006, A/61/338). The Special Rapporteur routinely questions Governments about their national medicines policies and implementation plans.
Gender Protocol Alliance dismayed by leader’s inaction
Southern African People’s Solidarity Network, 18 August 2007
The Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance[2] has expressed disappointment that SADC leaders failed to sign the Protocol on Gender and Development at the August 2007 summit in Lusaka. Representatives of sixteen regional and national NGOs working to promote the rights of women in the region said they were at a loss as to why heads of state failed to seize the moment of the 2007 summit after the draft had successfully passed through all the preparatory stages. This included endorsement by ministers of gender; justice ministers and the Council of Ministers that generally comprises finance ministers from the region. From their perspective the targets in the Protocol for the achievement of equality between women and men are non-negotiable. The failure this year will only increase their pressure for implementation when the Protocol is finally signed.
Uganda Mental Treatment Act from a human rights and public health perspective: An Analysis
Mulumba M: Social Science Research Network (SSRN), August 2007
Mental disorders affect one person in four in their lifetime, and can be found in 10 per cent of the adult population. It has been estimated that mental disorders and problems will increase by 50 per cent by the year 2020. Yet, according to the WHO: "All countries have to work with limited resources. Too often, prejudice and stigma hamper the development of mental health policies, and are reflected in poor services, low status for care providers and a lack of human rights for mentally ill people." This essay examines the elements of international human rights law directly linked to persons with mental disabilities that are crucial in National mental health legislations. It critically considers the Uganda Mental Health Treatment Act as an example subjecting it to the test of human rights standards as spelled out in the United Nations Human Rights Instruments. The further examines the provisions of this Act from a public health perspective and concludes with recommendations on how the Act can be made better in light of human rights.
Equity promoting health care policies in South Africa: A literature review commissioned by the Health Systems Knowledge Network
Chetty K: WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), 2007
South Africa is one of the youngest democracies in the world, with twelve years of a democratically elected government. Prior to the democratic elections, it was a country marked by oppression and extreme inequality. The democratic government has introduced a range of pro poor and pro equity policies. This paper reviews the system that was inherited by the democratic government, the equity promoting policies of the new government and the strategies adopted to implement these policies. It further analyses if the policy objectives have been met and the challenges that need to be addressed to reach these objectives.