New scheme to improve community health

The Department of Health is developing new family healthcare teams in preparation for the National Health Insurance scheme.

Around R1.2 billion has been set aside for this function, which is expected to take three years to implement.

The family healthcare teams will be tasked with informing the government of diseases in each district in the country; information which will be collected through door-to-door enquiries.

This marks progress in the Department of Health’s target to prevent the spread of diseases, rather than waiting to hear that an outbreak has occurred.

The focus will be on maternal health, HIV, TB and chronic illnesses.