This is an assignment about the patient’s point of view regarding the South African health system based on its foundation and priorities. The green plants represent the programs and interventions that are being done to vitalize the health system while the dry plants represents the ones that have already failed.
The picture above shows different plants with different attributes. The common ground is the surface in which they are growing on. The tree grows upwards when the roots are growing downwards. If there is not much of soil for the roots to penetrate, the other parts of the tree can only grow as much. Location plays a critical role in the life cycle of the plant. South African health system has a common problem which is the foundation of the health system. The authorities are always coming up with new strategies (approaches) to provide better health care. However, they are being done under the same system that has provided many unproductive ways and means. Politics has always been directly involved with the day to day operations of our health systems. The political landscape is subject to change between now and then. Health providers have little to no say concerning health issues that they work on. Private sector provides a better health care (there are many factors responsible for that), the absence of the government’s constant involvement does contribute to that. Patients feel unsure of what is going to happen next because their care is controlled by people who do not know much about their condition. The health system is supposed to provide hope to patients. But patients find it hard to be dependent on the unstable system. Trust in the healer is necessary to the healing itself (Goold, 2002).
In 2011, the Limpopo provincial government faced a financial crisis which affected many departments including the department of health. The financial crisis was due to corruption among the top government officials who were offering tenders to their unqualified friends and relatives. Companies and people who received these tenders did not do the work they were appointed to do. Hospitals and clinics were directly affected. There were no medications in certain health care facilities. Health care providers had to work with little provision and a decrease in supply of relevant equipment necessary for their day to day health operations. Health providers are given less authority over the health system, they are forced to use any means available which is not always what is best for the patients. Most of the individuals in leadership were qualified by their political parties, they do not have the necessary academic qualifications. As a result the health system is subject to manipulations to serve the political ambitions of the political figures in charge. Health care providers and patients are the ones who are influenced by the decisions made without consulting or considering them.
Many new strategies are being introduced all the time but they fail because they are dependent upon the government. Health care provision has since become government centered. It is essential to do more research to find out what is needed and the importance thereof. Due to lack of research and information available, more money is being spent on strategies that do not work. Interventions that have been put into place must be reviewed to determine their relevance and effectiveness. Different health institutions must also be presented with an opportunity to report on their needs. The system is rarely reviewed and updated which leads to the continuous application of outdated and noneffective methods by the authority.
Many interventions may be introduced and applied but they will amount to nothing if more authority and control is still based on the individuals outside the health system. Where the health system is concerned, modified means must be applied. The health care system takes care of millions of lives and as a result it should not be treated like any other department. Patients feel helpless when they are in need of health care because of the abuse of power.
References:
Goold, S,D. (2002). Trust, distrust and trustworthiness. J Gen Intern Med. 17(1),79–81. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.11132.x
Ho, U. (2013). Ndlovu saga 1: Health MEC shows HIV care group the door despite excellent service. Retrieved from
https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2018/09/03/6727/
Whittles, G. (2015). Limpopo government given its power back. Retrieved from
https://ewn.co.za/2014/07/28/Limpopo-govt-given-back-its-powers
2 thoughts on “Misplaced authority”
Hi Tshifhiwa! This is a really interesting and thorough choice of photo! I think the metaphor is great and goes a long way in explaining the problem; that the ideas and sometimes the means are there, and there might be good programmes and interventions, but due to government corruption, it is very hard to get the all over system to work well.
Connecting the government to the soil everything has to grow on, can be understood as a consistent metaphor in many ways – both in terms of people living in a country, since there is often talk of a “countrys soil” as nourishing (or not), and also as you described it – in terms of the successes and failures of programmes, businesses and other cooperations trying to grow in a country. It shows interconnection between location, resources (whether that is rain or funding) and the particular system (programme, person or plant) growing at that time. I really have to say that I think your title, picture and text form a very well thought out and multilayered depiction of the issue at hand. Very well done!
In terms of correctness of grammar and formatting, I think we are supposed to use the APA style of reference. So probably you should find the statements in your text which are taken from sources in your literature, and refer to this clearly in the text, the way the APA style tells us to do. Also, I think the points you are trying to make are all over very interesting, good and strong, but might become even more so if you bring in more variety in terms of the words you use more. E.g. instead of saying “There is a need for more research to find out what is needed and the importance thereof.” Try to find a synonym for need or needed – like necessary, essential or critical. Same goes for “Health care providers and patients are the ones who are deeply affected by the decisions affecting them which were made without consulting or considering them.”Maybe think of something you can replace either “affected” or “affecting” with?
Lastly, I just wanted to share that I often struggle with writing too long sentences. Which makes it hard to really get to the point – at least for the person reading it. So my final recommendation will be the advice I got from my boyfriend. Read it out loud to yourself to find a natural place to put commas and punctuation marks. Think of making it easy for people. It often helps a lot in terms of bringing things to the point!
Anyway, I hope this helps a little. I truly enjoyed reading your assignment – I really liked it! Good luck with you studies!
Best regards,
Maike
Thanks for the feedback