Notes on Department of Health (Image 1)

Department of Health There is now one national Health Department and 9 Provincial Health Departments. Free health care for children under 6 + pregnant women was introduced on 1.6.94. Impact assessment by CASE – Community Agency for Social Enquiry – (1995) showed that user fees were a barrier to assessing health care. 86,6% say health system is good, better or excellent. 54% say quality of Health care has improved. 65% say access to helath care has become easier as a result of this programme. More women were now getting ante-natal + maternal health services. Family Planning Clinic attendances have increased. The Termination of Pregnancy Bill is now law. The National Programme of Action for Children was launched jointly with Unicef. This Programme monitors the implementation of the rights of the child. Universal access to Primary Health Care for all South Africans has been introduced. In September 1995 Primary School Nutrition Programme in poor areas was introduced. Total number of schools participating – 15,800 Total number of children served 5.6 million