South Africa: a primary health care case study in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
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World Health Organization
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18 p.
This case study examines South Africa’s primary health care (PHC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic between January 2020 and November 2021. Using the Astana PHC framework, it analyses how integrated health services, multisectoral action, and community engagement contributed to the national response. The report describes the organization of South Africa’s PHC system, the role of community health workers, and the governance, financing and information systems established to manage the pandemic. It also reviews measures implemented to support surveillance, testing, contact tracing, risk communication and continuity of essential health services. The study highlights innovations such as real-time health information platforms, home delivery of chronic medication, targeted community screening and expanded collaboration between public and private sectors. It also documents disruptions to routine services, including declines in primary care utilization, immunization coverage and HIV and tuberculosis services. The report concludes that strong political leadership, multisectoral coordination and investments in PHC and community-based approaches were important to the pandemic response, while also revealing persistent inequalities and structural weaknesses within the health system.
This case study examines South Africa’s primary health care (PHC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic between January 2020 and November 2021. Using the Astana PHC framework, it analyses how integrated health services, multisectoral action, and community engagement contributed to the national response. The report describes the organization of South Africa’s PHC system, the role of community health workers, and the governance, financing and information systems established to manage the pandemic. It also reviews measures implemented to support surveillance, testing, contact tracing, risk communication and continuity of essential health services. The study highlights innovations such as real-time health information platforms, home delivery of chronic medication, targeted community screening and expanded collaboration between public and private sectors. It also documents disruptions to routine services, including declines in primary care utilization, immunization coverage and HIV and tuberculosis services. The report concludes that strong political leadership, multisectoral coordination and investments in PHC and community-based approaches were important to the pandemic response, while also revealing persistent inequalities and structural weaknesses within the health system.