The University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with the Tshwane District, successfully hosted the 10th Tshwane District Health Services Research Conference held at the state-of-the-art Engineering 4.0 building from 28 to 29 September 2023. The conference was centred around the theme ‘Rethinking Health Systems, Strengthening and Promoting Sustainable Development’. The organising and scientific committees were chaired by Public Health Medicine Specialist at the Tshwane District Health Services Dr Manei Letebele-Hartell and Professor Mashamba-Thompson, Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Health Sciences. This collaboration highlighted the University's commitment to interdisciplinary work, partnership-building, and its vital role in advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda.

The conference marked a significant milestone as it united the Tshwane District Health Services, the City of Tshwane, the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria and various institutions of higher learning. It celebrated ten years of dedicated efforts to foster research and innovation in the healthcare sector.

Professor Flavia Senkubuge, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice Principal of Student Life at UP

Professor Flavia Senkubuge, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Principal of Student Life at UP, welcomed participants and encouraged them to envision future conferences with broader inclusivity. She emphasised that the research presented at the conference held the potential to reach wider audiences through academic journals and research papers, with the University of Pretoria offering unwavering support in this endeavour.

"I want to challenge us all, not only to keep it as a health conference, but next year, to partner in a much stronger way and make this particular conference bigger, because the research that is going to be presented today does not only pertain to the health space," Prof Senkubuge shared.

Mothomone Pitso, representing Tshwane District Health Services, opened the conference by emphasising the importance of feedback on research findings that inform healthcare policies and practices. He stated that the conference aimed to promote research, especially action research, among managers and other department employees to inform policy and practice.

"The aim of the conference is to promote research, especially action research, among managers and other employees of the department. It's also meant to provide feedback on research conducted in the district to inform policy and practice," Pitso noted.

Pitso explored solutions to the challenges faced in the South African healthcare system, particularly the need to address skills gaps in specialised areas like ICU and neonatal nursing. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in making improvements.

"We have an issue with the skills mix often in our health facilities, particularly in areas of specialisation. There are gaps in areas such as ICU and neonatal nursing. These are crucial areas that require attention, and through collaborative efforts, we can make improvements," Pitso emphasised.

He also stressed the government's commitment to providing services to vulnerable citizens, including those struggling with substance abuse, emphasising the importance of proactive healthcare delivery.

"It's clear that waiting for people to come to our services is not going to help us achieve that goal. We need to go out and create permission to reach out to them," Pitso said.

Professor Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi

Guest speaker Professor Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi from the University of South Africa (UNISA) emphasised the importance of robust health systems for a brighter future for Africa. She discussed the foundational building blocks of health systems and strategies for strengthening them efficiently.

Highlighting the connection between sustainable development and health, Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi emphasised that SDG Goal Number Three, "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all," was the linchpin for progress. She advocated for equitable healthcare access, including for marginalised groups such as LGBTIQ individuals.

"Health is the bedrock upon which all sustainable development goals rest. Poverty alleviation, education and fulfilling all 17 Sustainable Development Goals hinge on robust health systems," Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi asserted.

She called for the decolonisation of healthcare practices and training, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and respecting diverse healthcare approaches and traditional practices.

“We need to decolonise healthcare practices and also training. The way training is done, we forget that there are other medicines, other healthcare services, except the Western one. So, at the end, you find that when we ignore other healthcare practices and services, even our training becomes a challenge,” Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi emphasised.

Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi highlighted the need to depoliticise healthcare services and decentralise healthcare management.

“We need to depoliticise health care services. As long as we make it a point of politics, we are not going anywhere. Decentralizing healthcare management by giving local communities and clinics more autonomy can have advantages. It can allow for healthcare services that are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of those communities,” Prof Mavhandu-Mudzusi explained.

Professor Stella Anyangwe

Professor Stella Anyangwe, an expert in global health, discussed the intricate relationship between health systems, equitable healthcare, and sustainable development. She emphasised the need to re-evaluate health systems to serve all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Prof Anyangwe quoted the WHO's constitution, underlining that healthcare is a basic human right that should be accessible to all. She explained that health constitutes complete physical, mental, and social well-being, extending beyond the absence of disease.

The professor connected health and development, highlighting that without good health, other sectors like agriculture and education suffer. She noted that health systems encompass more than healthcare services, including health information systems and the health workforce.

Prof Anyangwe advocated for a holistic approach to healthcare delivery, including health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation. She emphasised the importance of addressing inequalities and inequities in healthcare, thinking beyond averages and considering the needs of all individuals.

Data accuracy emerged as a crucial factor in healthcare. Prof Anyangwe stressed that data quality plays a significant role in decision-making and that inaccurate data can lead to faulty policies and actions. She concluded by advocating for country ownership of healthcare plans and the need for coordination among donors to strengthen health systems effectively.

MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, MEC for Health and Wellness, Gauteng, emphasised the importance of clinics that prioritise primary health, stating that they are the cornerstone of public well-being. She stressed the need to create clinics focusing on primary health, aligning with her academic background in the field.

"We must create clinics that everybody will try themselves to go to, but the clinics must focus on primary health because that's the basic [level] of our health," Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised.

The MEC highlighted the urgency of rethinking the nation's health systems, emphasising that without this re-evaluation, progress towards the National Health Insurance (NHI) would be impeded. She called for collaboration with academia to chart the right course and avoid scattered efforts.

Acknowledging the critical role of scientific research, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MEC called for effective communication of scientific findings to policymakers, the media and the public. She commended the scientific community for their dedication and unwavering efforts in advancing knowledge and healthcare.

In conclusion, the MEC praised the conference as a platform for exchanging groundbreaking research and innovative ideas. She expressed her confidence in the conference's success and its potential to drive positive change in healthcare.