The MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will address a meeting on sexual and reproductive health research and HIV service delivery that seeks to find ways to improve the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services in the province of KwaZulu-Natal hosted by the Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health (MatCH).
MatCH will be hosting a Programme and Research Review Day, under the theme; “Communicating MatCH: A Forum on Innovative Sexual and Reproductive Health Research and HIV Service Delivery.” Among the issues to be discussed on this day include; health systems strengthening, research into practice and behavioural research.
“One of the priorities of this government, as outlined in the 10 Point Plan, are the overhaul of the health systems and Research and development (Priorities 4 and 10, respectively). On priority four we say the Primary Health Care (PHC) approach is endorsed in key policy documents of the health sector as the strategic approach for ensuring an accessible, affordable, acceptable, equitable and efficient health system, with full community participation and intersectoral collaboration. However, uneven progress has been made with the implementation of PHC across the country.
“With regards to research and development;our two key objectives for the next three years are to complete the South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) 2010, as well as the SADHS 2013. We need reliable data on the health status of South Africans. Infant and maternal mortality must be accurately quantified. So we are happy for such a meeting taking place in this province and we will share our views on these important matters,” says MEC Dhlomo.
MatCH is a division of the Wits Health Consortium, of Wits University. MatCH works closely with the KwaZulu-Natal public health sector to support comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and HIV treatment, prevention and care services through provision of technical support, infrastructure, training, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning. This work is supported by funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and many other donors.
MatCH’s research programme includes HIV prevention, contraception and family planning, integration of sexual and reproductive and health services, gender and sexual behaviour and HIV care and support for orphans and vulnerable children.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Dr Dhlomo, will join Professor Jerry Coovadia and several senior health officials, researchers, public health specialists in presenting papers.
Journalists and reporters are invited to the attend and cover the conference which will take place as follows:
Date:Thursday, 27 January 2011
Time: 08h00
Venue: Durban Country Club
For more information please contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
Dr Arthi Ramkissoon
Cell: 082 410 5709
