Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa

Prior to the 1994 election, health care was a privilege enjoyed only by some sectors of the community. After the election health care was entrenched in the constitution through section 27(1) that states that everyone has a right to have access to health seNices. The challenge the ANC led government...

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Main Authors: Sonja Verwey, Andrea Crystal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Johannesburg 2022-11-01
Series:Communicare
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Online Access:https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1885
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author Sonja Verwey
Andrea Crystal
author_facet Sonja Verwey
Andrea Crystal
author_sort Sonja Verwey
collection DOAJ
description Prior to the 1994 election, health care was a privilege enjoyed only by some sectors of the community. After the election health care was entrenched in the constitution through section 27(1) that states that everyone has a right to have access to health seNices. The challenge the ANC led government faces is to balance the maintenance of tertiary care service with the simultaneous upgrading of . primary care seNices. The strategy adopted by the Department of Health is to regulate the industry and educate the public. Although this strategic approach is designed to promote and provide healthcare to al/ South Africans, it appears to be failing. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit the health status of South Africa is the poorest of all 27 countries measured. During the first two years of the new health care system many crises occurred. According to the Director General of Health, some of the crises were the result of the long neglect of apartheid while other crises relate directly to the lack of skill in communication. This article argues that improved communication at all levels is a necessary prereqUisite if South Africa is to improve the health status of our population.
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spelling doaj-art-d2be7ac49e294286b83d2394e83ffdfb2025-01-20T08:49:01ZengUniversity of JohannesburgCommunicare0259-00692957-79502022-11-0117110.36615/jcsa.v17i1.1885Setting new standards for health communication in South AfricaSonja Verwey0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9177-6140Andrea Crystal1University of JohannesburgUniversity of Johannesburg Prior to the 1994 election, health care was a privilege enjoyed only by some sectors of the community. After the election health care was entrenched in the constitution through section 27(1) that states that everyone has a right to have access to health seNices. The challenge the ANC led government faces is to balance the maintenance of tertiary care service with the simultaneous upgrading of . primary care seNices. The strategy adopted by the Department of Health is to regulate the industry and educate the public. Although this strategic approach is designed to promote and provide healthcare to al/ South Africans, it appears to be failing. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit the health status of South Africa is the poorest of all 27 countries measured. During the first two years of the new health care system many crises occurred. According to the Director General of Health, some of the crises were the result of the long neglect of apartheid while other crises relate directly to the lack of skill in communication. This article argues that improved communication at all levels is a necessary prereqUisite if South Africa is to improve the health status of our population. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/18851994 electionhealth careANCDepartment of HealthEconomist Intelligence UnitDirector General of Health
spellingShingle Sonja Verwey
Andrea Crystal
Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
Communicare
1994 election
health care
ANC
Department of Health
Economist Intelligence Unit
Director General of Health
title Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
title_full Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
title_fullStr Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
title_short Setting new standards for health communication in South Africa
title_sort setting new standards for health communication in south africa
topic 1994 election
health care
ANC
Department of Health
Economist Intelligence Unit
Director General of Health
url https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1885
work_keys_str_mv AT sonjaverwey settingnewstandardsforhealthcommunicationinsouthafrica
AT andreacrystal settingnewstandardsforhealthcommunicationinsouthafrica