Public Health Association of South Africa

CHAIRPERSONS REPORT 2004

It is with a sense of pride that I report on the activities of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) for the year 2003/2004. It is clear that the PHASA is maturing as an organisation and that, over time, it promises to become an important player on the national public health landscape. As mandated at the AGM last year the new Executive Committee has held regular meetings over the past year and I wish to express my gratitude to all the members of the Executive for their invaluable contributions. I also wish to, on behalf of the Public Health Association of South Africa, express our heartfelt thanks to the Durban-based Organising Committee under the leadership of Professor Jinabhai, for the tremendous effort that went into organising PHASA 2004 Conference, in partnership with the International Association for Health Policy. Special mention needs to be made of the Scientific Committee, members of which served with distinction in putting together and excellent conference programme.

During the course of the year Dr Nomathemba Mazaleni relocated to the United States of America and resigned as member of the Executive Committee. She has received our congratulations and good wishes in her new career.

The issues considered and addressed by the Executive over the course of the year were diverse and a summary of our activities follows.

Mission and Objectives
The Executive Committee reviewed the Mission and Objectives of the organisation during the year and this process is still ongoing.

International links
The past year has seen increased efforts at internationalising the PHASA and a number of new links were established.

The Executive Committee agreed that PHASA become an affiliate of the African Council for Sustainable Health Development (ACOSHED). Furthermore, it was decided to invite the Chief Executive Officer to our conference in June when the implications for PHASA will be further elucidated.

I am also pleased to announce that PHASA has been accepted as a member of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. This was due largely to the efforts of David Sanders and Noddy Jinabhai whom I thank sincerely.

The PHASA has established contact with the American Public Health Association through its newly appointed President. Discussions on collaboration have started and it is anticipated that this relationship will prove fruitful and translate into some exciting joint activities over time.

Membership and Finances
It is true to say that any organisation is as strong as its membership (and its finances). We need to increase our membership. We must recruit among the roughly 300,000 public health workers in the country. It is pleasing to note that the number of paid-up members has increased steadily, but an intensive effort must be launched to increase our membership.

The Journal of Public Health
There is clearly a need for a PHASA Journal of Public Health and potential donors have been approached. The indexing of the journal has been discussed with the editor of the South African Medical Journal. The establishment of the journal constitutes the most important task for the incoming Executive Committee of PHASA.

Public statements
The Public Health Association issued its first public statement after the Cape Town conference. It is a role that the organisation will increasingly be called upon to play. There is no doubt that PHASA should, and will, be the voice of Public Health in South Africa.

The 2004 conference
The PHASA 2004 Conference occupied most of the energy of the Executive Committee over the past year. Coming so soon after the first PHASA Conference, a considerable amount of effort went into the organisation of the conference. The 2004 conference also marks the first "international" conference held by our organisation, and we look forward with great interest to the conference itself. As indicated above many persons and organisations are to be thanked for making the conference possible.

Beyond 2004
Judged by the fact that the PHASA is organising its second conference in two years it seems that the future looks very promising. Much needs to be done, but the PHASA seems destined to play an increasingly significant role as the "Voice of Public Health in South Africa". It is my hope that though an increase in membership, the strengthening of our membership, the establishment of our journal and the emergence of special interest groups, the Public Health Association will go from strength to strength.

William M. Pick, Professor Emeritus
Chairperson
May 2004