| dc.description.abstract |
This dissertation focuses on the role of non-governmental organisations in provision of
health care services in KwaZulu-Natal. The study had three objectives which were:
identify the role of non-governmental organisations in the provision of health in
KwaZulu-Natal.
describe mechanisms for enhancing collaboration between the government and
non-government organisations.
investigate mechanisms for redistribution of resources from the public and private
sectors to the non-government organisations.
The Nationalist Party government, supported by its apartheid policies created imbalances
in the provision of services in South Africa. Generally speaking, inequity in all spheres
of life was visible between the white population which was the minority and their
counterparts, the blacks which were the majority. Health care services were fragmented
and divided in racial lines. The whites who were predominantly located in urban areas
had access to curative health care which was affordable to them. The blacks were located
in rural areas which were referred to as homelands. The health services were minimal and
in most places they were unavailable. Curative facilities provided by hospitals and clinics
were situated long distances from where the majority of the population could find them.
Transport facilities like roads were not well developed, ambulances and health care
workers were not available. Health care facilities was inadequate in these areas.
The health care provided by the apartheid government was inadequate and structures
which were outside the government known as non-government organisations were
formed. These NGOs acted as the first line of health defence to the marginalised sectors
of the South African communities. Non-governmental organisations were also
functioning in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and some were comprehensive in approach
and did not provide only health services but also training and education, housing, social
services and other development activities. The role of these non-governmental
organisations involved the following:
improving health in the most remote and disadvantaged communities, for example,
informal settlements, rural and the ultra poor areas.
providing integrated and comprehensive services, for example, employment
generating projects, education and training and housing.
unifying the different racial groups and breaking down prejudices and assumptions
with regard to race and gender.
Although non-governmental organisations operated in South Africa, there was always
confrontation between the government structures and NGOs, particularly those which
were actively involved in the upliftment of the lives of the previously disadvantaged
communities, namely the blacks. These non-governmental organisations provided these
services under a variety of unpleasant conditions, characterised by assassinations, tortures
and imprisonment. These NGOs were banned by the government and others operated
under restrictive and authoritarian government policies.
The recent political changes which took place in South Africa - the unbanning of political
organisations like the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress
highlighted the need for transformation in all aspects of life. In 1994 a democratic
government which was ANC-Ied was legitimately elected. The government of national
unity was committed to the upliftment of the lives of all South Africans, particularly the
provision of health care for all. People were extremely optimistic when the new
government (GNU) came into power.
The role of non-government organisations was theoretically non-existence and minimal
as the government was aiming at providing health care services to the previously
disadvantaged communities. Foreign donors and funders redirected their financial
assistance to the government and the funding was between government to government.
The personnel from non-governmental organisations was recruited to business and
government sectors which also challenged NGOs to replace these dedicated and
committed people. The funding problem has become a major challenge to non-governmental organisations and most of them have been forced to shut down. The
political transformation has challenged non-government organisations to reposition
themselves and work with government in the upliftment of the lives of all South Africans.
The government of national unity is committed to the provision of equitable, preventive,
promotive, curative and rehabilitative services at all community levels, particularly the
previously disadvantaged.
The researcher has identified two non-governmental organisations as a case study and
these NGOs are providing health care services in KwaZulu-Natal. The NGOs are the
Health Systems Trust and the Valley Trust. In addition to these two NGOs literature
which was relevant to this study was also reviewed.
The researcher reached the following conclusions after the findings of the study were
analysed:
Non-governmental organisations have played an important role in the past in the
upliftment of the lives of South Africans.
Resources have been inequitable been distributed and there is a need to redistribute
these resources equally.
South Africa is faced with health problems which needs all stakeholders to be
involve in order to eradicate ill-health.
The study offers a number of recommendations based from the conclusions which 'can be
generalised to non-governmental organisations providing health services. |
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