Explaining the endurance of poverty and inequality : social policy and the social division of welfare in the South African health system
- Authors: Du Plessis, Ulandi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Health system , Private health , Public health , Poor , Subsidies , Profit motive , Quality , Efficiency , Public health -- Finance -- Research -- South Africa , Medical care -- Research -- South Africa , Poverty -- Research -- South Africa , Equality -- Research -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002002
- Description: This thesis examines the structure and flow of public funding between the public and private sectors in the South African health system and the consequences thereof for the achievement of equity. The conceptual framework used to undertake the analysis derives from Richard Titmuss’ core theoretical framework, the Social Division of Welfare. The application of the Social Division of Welfare applied to the South African health care context demonstrates how state resources end up benefitting the non-poor and, as a result, reproduce inequality. Those who access public institutions such as public health care are assumed to be ‘dependent’ on the state, whilst those who access private health facilities claim to be ‘independent’ of the state. However, this thesis shows that these assumptions are flawed. Access to the formal labour market, and subsequently the paying of taxes, authorises one to access state subsidies not available to those who do not. The application of the Social Division of Welfare shows that tax-paying private health care patients benefit considerably from state resources. This thesis argues that due to cost escalation in the private health sector, a consequence of the commodification of health care, these private health care ‘consumers’ as well as the private health industry in general are dependent upon state resources. This thesis analyses the role played by the profit motive present in the private health industry and the consequences for equity, quality, access and efficiency in health care provision
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Du Plessis, Ulandi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Health system , Private health , Public health , Poor , Subsidies , Profit motive , Quality , Efficiency , Public health -- Finance -- Research -- South Africa , Medical care -- Research -- South Africa , Poverty -- Research -- South Africa , Equality -- Research -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002002
- Description: This thesis examines the structure and flow of public funding between the public and private sectors in the South African health system and the consequences thereof for the achievement of equity. The conceptual framework used to undertake the analysis derives from Richard Titmuss’ core theoretical framework, the Social Division of Welfare. The application of the Social Division of Welfare applied to the South African health care context demonstrates how state resources end up benefitting the non-poor and, as a result, reproduce inequality. Those who access public institutions such as public health care are assumed to be ‘dependent’ on the state, whilst those who access private health facilities claim to be ‘independent’ of the state. However, this thesis shows that these assumptions are flawed. Access to the formal labour market, and subsequently the paying of taxes, authorises one to access state subsidies not available to those who do not. The application of the Social Division of Welfare shows that tax-paying private health care patients benefit considerably from state resources. This thesis argues that due to cost escalation in the private health sector, a consequence of the commodification of health care, these private health care ‘consumers’ as well as the private health industry in general are dependent upon state resources. This thesis analyses the role played by the profit motive present in the private health industry and the consequences for equity, quality, access and efficiency in health care provision
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Perceived usefulness of agricultural information sought on-line and broadcast in rural Mozambique: a case study of two Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs)
- Authors: Fuel, Isaias Carlos
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Radio in community development -- Mozambique Radio broadcasting -- Mozambique Radio stations -- Mozambique Digital media -- Mozambique Rural development -- Mozambique Agriculture -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007240
- Description: The wealth of information available on the Internet holds the potential to aid development in Africa. In order to be effective, such information needs to be contextualised to respond to local needs and practices. The combination of old and new media can support uptake and improve acceptance of new technologies in developing countries. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceived usefulness of agricultural information sought on-line and broadcast via community radio in the two Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs) of Namaacha and Murrombene, in rural Mozambique. The data was generated from focus group discussion, individual interview, document analysis, and observation involving farmers and radio presenters. The study has shown that on-line agricultural information responds to the needs of the farmers because it contributes to eliminate pests and help farmers to make decisions about their activities. The study has also shown that there is a communication gap between farmers, extension workers, and volunteer reporters working at the community radios of the two CMCs. Volunteers have no agricultural knowledge. The problem this creates manifests itself primarily when they try to translate on-line agricultural information from Portuguese into local languages. Farmers have difficulties expressing their problems. Extension workers are not available to act as experts and mediators between volunteers and farmers. A collaborative website focusing on locally relevant content was suggested as a possible improvement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Fuel, Isaias Carlos
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Radio in community development -- Mozambique Radio broadcasting -- Mozambique Radio stations -- Mozambique Digital media -- Mozambique Rural development -- Mozambique Agriculture -- Mozambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007240
- Description: The wealth of information available on the Internet holds the potential to aid development in Africa. In order to be effective, such information needs to be contextualised to respond to local needs and practices. The combination of old and new media can support uptake and improve acceptance of new technologies in developing countries. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceived usefulness of agricultural information sought on-line and broadcast via community radio in the two Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs) of Namaacha and Murrombene, in rural Mozambique. The data was generated from focus group discussion, individual interview, document analysis, and observation involving farmers and radio presenters. The study has shown that on-line agricultural information responds to the needs of the farmers because it contributes to eliminate pests and help farmers to make decisions about their activities. The study has also shown that there is a communication gap between farmers, extension workers, and volunteer reporters working at the community radios of the two CMCs. Volunteers have no agricultural knowledge. The problem this creates manifests itself primarily when they try to translate on-line agricultural information from Portuguese into local languages. Farmers have difficulties expressing their problems. Extension workers are not available to act as experts and mediators between volunteers and farmers. A collaborative website focusing on locally relevant content was suggested as a possible improvement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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