Challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services
- Authors: Somi, Zoleka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35469 , vital:33735
- Description: This study highlights challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services. Although the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) is primarily responsible for the rendering of environmental health services, the local municipalities that have environmental health practitioners within their areas of jurisdiction were appointed to act as its agents in the rendering of municipal health services. Sarah Baartman District Municipality therefore currently utilises the external service delivery mechanism. In 2004 the Sarah Baartman District Municipality was allocated powers and functions for the rendering of municipal health services which were previously a shared responsibility between the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the district municipality and local municipalities. In terms of section 78 (1) of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), on the allocation of new powers and functions, a municipality is required to assess conditions and capacity to deliver the service. In 2008 Sarah Baartman District Municipality appointed the Klyveld, Peat, Marwick and Groerdeler (KPMG) accounting firm to assess these conditions. The assessment identified a number of challenges regarding the current external service delivery mechanism. Based on the outcomes of this section 78 assessment, it was quite clear that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of Environmental Health Services at Sarah Baartman District Municipality. The aim of this study was to identify, explore and describe the challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services in terms of its current external service delivery mechanism. The study was qualitative, with explorative and descriptive designs by nature. It was conducted at Sarah Baartman District Municipality which is made up of seven local municipalities. The target population for this study was 21 environmental health practitioners practicing within the SBDM (N=21). A purposive sample of eight (n=8) environmental health practitioners were identified to participate in the study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the in-depth interviews and a focus group. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The study revealed that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of environmental health services at SBDM. This study proposes that Sarah Baartman District Municipality should bring back the function of environmental health from the local municipalities and utilise the internal service delivery mechanism in the rendering of environmental health services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Somi, Zoleka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35469 , vital:33735
- Description: This study highlights challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services. Although the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) is primarily responsible for the rendering of environmental health services, the local municipalities that have environmental health practitioners within their areas of jurisdiction were appointed to act as its agents in the rendering of municipal health services. Sarah Baartman District Municipality therefore currently utilises the external service delivery mechanism. In 2004 the Sarah Baartman District Municipality was allocated powers and functions for the rendering of municipal health services which were previously a shared responsibility between the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the district municipality and local municipalities. In terms of section 78 (1) of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), on the allocation of new powers and functions, a municipality is required to assess conditions and capacity to deliver the service. In 2008 Sarah Baartman District Municipality appointed the Klyveld, Peat, Marwick and Groerdeler (KPMG) accounting firm to assess these conditions. The assessment identified a number of challenges regarding the current external service delivery mechanism. Based on the outcomes of this section 78 assessment, it was quite clear that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of Environmental Health Services at Sarah Baartman District Municipality. The aim of this study was to identify, explore and describe the challenges experienced by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the rendering of environmental health services in terms of its current external service delivery mechanism. The study was qualitative, with explorative and descriptive designs by nature. It was conducted at Sarah Baartman District Municipality which is made up of seven local municipalities. The target population for this study was 21 environmental health practitioners practicing within the SBDM (N=21). A purposive sample of eight (n=8) environmental health practitioners were identified to participate in the study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the in-depth interviews and a focus group. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The study revealed that the current external service delivery mechanism is the foundation for challenges in the effective rendering of environmental health services at SBDM. This study proposes that Sarah Baartman District Municipality should bring back the function of environmental health from the local municipalities and utilise the internal service delivery mechanism in the rendering of environmental health services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Environmental health community service in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbola, Patience
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental health -- Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental health -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32028 , vital:31920
- Description: In terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), Environmental Health graduates are required to conduct a year of Community Service before they are allowed to register as independent Environmental Health Practitioners at the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The main purpose of Community Service by these graduates is to assist Environmental Health Practitioners in the execution of their daily tasks, thereby contributing to more effective service delivery, especially to the disadvantaged communities, within the sphere of government where they are deployed. Several studies have been conducted in an effort to identify problem areas in other health care professions during the Community Service year, but no such study could be found on Environmental Health. The aim of this study was to do the same for the Environmental Health profession in South Africa, by focusing on problems and challenges during Community Service placement, specifically the 2013 to 2016 intakes of Community Service practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province and the administrators responsible for the program at national, provincial and municipal spheres of government. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs (mixed method) and was by nature explorative, descriptive and contextual. Two populations were involved; namely, twenty four Environmental Health graduates who completed their Community Service during 2013 to 2016 within the Eastern Cape Province, and ten Environmental Health Practitioners who were responsible for the administration of the Community Service program at the provincial and municipal spheres of government during the same period. A purposive sample was drawn from each population. Qualitative data was collected by means of interviews and quantitative data through questionnaires. Qualitative data was analysed using Tech’s method of data analysis and quantitative data was statistically analysed. The results of the study revealed that the Eastern Cape Department of Health needs to review the Community Service program for Environmental Health graduates and further initiate resolutions in terms of the identified problems, such as maladministration of Community Service which related to the lack of consistency of communication during the organisation of the Community Service program; declined/decreasing number of Environmental Health Community Service posts in the Eastern Cape Province which led to a shortage of human resources; Inadequate provision of material resources for Community Service; lack of induction training and inconsistent supervision of Environmental Health Community Service practitioners; and lack of evaluation of the success of the Environmental Health Community Service program. The study findings suggest important inequalities and non-compliances which should deserve urgent attention. Based on the challenges that have been identified regarding the organisation and implementation of the Community Service program, this study concludes by presenting recommendations for the improvement of the Community Service program in the Environmental Health profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mbola, Patience
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental health -- Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental health -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32028 , vital:31920
- Description: In terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), Environmental Health graduates are required to conduct a year of Community Service before they are allowed to register as independent Environmental Health Practitioners at the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The main purpose of Community Service by these graduates is to assist Environmental Health Practitioners in the execution of their daily tasks, thereby contributing to more effective service delivery, especially to the disadvantaged communities, within the sphere of government where they are deployed. Several studies have been conducted in an effort to identify problem areas in other health care professions during the Community Service year, but no such study could be found on Environmental Health. The aim of this study was to do the same for the Environmental Health profession in South Africa, by focusing on problems and challenges during Community Service placement, specifically the 2013 to 2016 intakes of Community Service practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province and the administrators responsible for the program at national, provincial and municipal spheres of government. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs (mixed method) and was by nature explorative, descriptive and contextual. Two populations were involved; namely, twenty four Environmental Health graduates who completed their Community Service during 2013 to 2016 within the Eastern Cape Province, and ten Environmental Health Practitioners who were responsible for the administration of the Community Service program at the provincial and municipal spheres of government during the same period. A purposive sample was drawn from each population. Qualitative data was collected by means of interviews and quantitative data through questionnaires. Qualitative data was analysed using Tech’s method of data analysis and quantitative data was statistically analysed. The results of the study revealed that the Eastern Cape Department of Health needs to review the Community Service program for Environmental Health graduates and further initiate resolutions in terms of the identified problems, such as maladministration of Community Service which related to the lack of consistency of communication during the organisation of the Community Service program; declined/decreasing number of Environmental Health Community Service posts in the Eastern Cape Province which led to a shortage of human resources; Inadequate provision of material resources for Community Service; lack of induction training and inconsistent supervision of Environmental Health Community Service practitioners; and lack of evaluation of the success of the Environmental Health Community Service program. The study findings suggest important inequalities and non-compliances which should deserve urgent attention. Based on the challenges that have been identified regarding the organisation and implementation of the Community Service program, this study concludes by presenting recommendations for the improvement of the Community Service program in the Environmental Health profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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