In partnership with: The Third Public Health Conference was successfully held from the 16 th to the 17 th May 2006 at the Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand. The theme of the conference was Making Health Systems Work with two sub-themes that were ‘decreasing the burden of disease' and ‘increasing equity, effectiveness and efficiency'. The conference was co-hosted by PHASA, the Gauteng Department of Health, the University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, the International Epidemiological Association and the Health Systems Trust. This conference brought together professionals working in all disciplines of public health to share research findings pertinent to population heath in the Southern African Region.
Delegates:
Three hundred and eighty-six delegates from 22 countries attended the conference. Delegates represented academic institutes, research organisation, non-profit organisations and managers and health care providers from the Departments of Health.
Pre-conference workshops:
Five pre-conference workshops were held on the 15 th May 2006 . The workshops provided delegates with theoretical understanding of the topics and technical skills in the area. National experts facilitated and presented at the workshops.
The workshop on ‘Public Health Approach to Health Service Management' was facilitated by WITS School of Public Health Registrars Dr L Thomas and Dr N Naicker as well as Prof Schneider from the Centre for Health Policy. It allowed the attendees to get involved with statistical analysis from a health managers' perspective; with practical applications. Prof T Rehle from HSRC engaged participants in a workshop on 'Second-generation HIV surveillance.' HIV is at the forefront of the Public Health agenda and this workshop highlighted the key of combining biological as well as behavioural data. The workshop on ‘Confounding and Effect Modification' was facilitated by Prof Rheeder and Dr Basu. The participants varied from seasoned Epidemiological lecturers to students and registrars all eager to unpack these complex concepts. ‘GIS (Geographical Information Systems)' facilitated by Dr C Martin created acute awareness of this new and innovative tool in Public Health surveillance. Participants in the ‘Evidence-based Health Care (EBHC) training workshop' were introduced to the principles of EBHC and the Cochrane Collaboration by Dr Engel.
Programme:
The Scientific Committee did an excellent job in developing the programme. One hundred and twenty oral presentations and 119 posters were presented at the conference. The presentations covered a range of issues dealing with quality, efficiency and effectiveness of health service delivery. Special themes also included human resources, the burden of disease, HIS and surveillance, communicable and chronic diseases, child health and nutrition and environmental and occupational health.
The key note speakers included Drs. Eliya Zulu and Paul Pronyk. Dr. Zulu is the Deputy Director of the African Population and Health Research Center in Kenya . Dr. Zulu highlighted the health impacts of rapid uncontrolled urban development in his presentation titled ‘Inequities in Africa -The Role of Research' . The implications of urbanization to health, living conditions and overall population demography are far-reaching and of pivotal importance. He stressed the need to concentrate on these areas especially in developing countries.
Dr. Pronyk is the Director of the Rural Aids and Development Action Research Programme (RADAR) in the WITS School of Public Health. Dr. Pronyk presented findings from the study done in rural Limpopo province that linked microfinancing to gender-based violence prevention strategies. This study underwent vigorous methodological scrutiny and has shown a decline in gender-based violence in the study population.
A session that received significant attention was the “health sector response to HIV”. The presenters tackled various aspects related to the impact of the HIV epidemic on the health sector.
Joint meetings:
PHASA was pleased to have the support from the International Epidemiology Association (IEA) and the International Clinical Epidemiological Network (INCLEN). IEA ( Africa ) held their regional scientific meeting at the conference. The IXth annual INCLEN Africa (IA) meeting was held on the 13 th - 14 th May 2006. INCLEN Africa is one of the regional networks that constitute the International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN). Prof. Mariva, Dean of Health Sciences at Pretoria University , opened the meeting 13th May 2006; where the key development was that Prof. P. Rheeder from the University of Pretoria , was nominated as the next INCLEN Africa chair. The Clinical Epidemiological Unit at the WITS School of Public Health was also recognized by INCLEN Africa.
Exhibitors:
The exhibition area, which also housed the poster sessions, was well visited and stimulated active dialogue between delegates. Thirteen exhibitors were present at the conference. The exhibitors represented an interesting mix and reflected a broad spectrum health care. They ranged from academic institutes, drug companies, marketing companies, book istributors, research units, health service providers and non-profit organisations.
Special events:
The Cocktail Function and Gala Dinner provided a relaxed atmosphere for delegates to mingle and socialise. The Cocktail Function was opened by Prof S. Naidoo from the WITS School of Public Health and Dr. N. Diliza, Chief Director of Hospital Services, from the Gauteng Department of Health. Dr. E. Kaye-Petersen , Director of Public Health, presented a passionate speech on the role of Department of Health and the importance of a sound relationship between PHASA and the Department of Health.
Mr T. D. Mseleku, Director-General of the National Department of Health, South Africa , was the guest speaker at the Gala Dinner. Mr. Mseleku provided an overview of the key challenges facing public health care service delivery in SA. He drew special attention to the aspects of human resources touching of issues of salaries and training.
The South Africa launch of the Global Health Watch 2005/06 occurred at the conference. The Global Health Watch is considered to be the alternative health report and was initiated by the People's Health Movement, Global Equity Gauge Alliance and Medact. Managing Editor, Prof. David Saunders, said the Watch represented a call to all health workers to act as advocates against global ill-health and inequalities.
CLOSING
The following resolutions were made at the conference:
- PHASA resolved to engage all stakeholders in South Africa , including government, to push for equity in health.
- PHASA resolved to support civil society through a public health movement in holding services more accountable.
- PHASA resolved to place on the agenda of the World Federation of Public Health Associations the issue of the developed countries poaching health care professionals from the developing countries, and place health as a human right back on the international agenda.
The next conference will be held in the Western Cape around April/May of 2008.
Sponsors:
The Organising Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of the following sponsors:
