INTRODUCTION

The District Health System (DHS) is intended to provide quality healthcare services at a district level to local communities. The DHS addresses the broader determinants of healthcare through a multi-sectoral approach that involves local communities. These communities identify their own priority health needs and take action to address health and social ills prevalent in their localities.

The current challenge is that healthcare and political authorities tend to assume that they know local communities and plan for healthcare services without community participation. Community engagement and participation is about empowering individuals, families and communities to take ownership and responsibility for their health. The community stakeholder engagement course will ensure that the community is involved in the decision-making process.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is about equipping healthcare workers with the requisite understanding, knowledge and skills to engage with local community stakeholders on healthcare needs. The success of the DHS depends significantly on creating a strong collaborative relationship between public healthcare providers and the local communities. Since healthcare decisions impact on the local communities, they should be an important part of the decision-making process. It ensures a responsive health delivery system. The course includes developing a community profile to better understand local culture, language, traditions and practices.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Community health workers which include home-based care workers, data capturers, field workers and support staff working at public health facilities.
Nurses that work in the primary healthcare, community setting and outreach teams.
Community leaders.
Government officials at national, provincial, district and municipal levels.
Local councillors.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Approach and engage communities, keeping in mind local sensitivities.
Identify local leaders and communicate with them on issues relating to community healthcare.
Develop protocols to be followed when engaging with local communities.
Facilitate community participation in forums.
Develop community profiles.
Collect data from local communities.
Analyse data and make findings on local communities.
Compile a community profile report.

COURSE CONTENT

The key themes/topics that the course will cover:

Approaching and engaging communities.
Identifying and engaging community stakeholders.
Community protocols for community engagement.
Community participation and the decision-making process.
Facilitating a participatory community development process.
Developing a community profile.
Data collection, analysis and report writing.
Presentation of the community profile to stakeholders.

ADMISSION

Any equivalent qualification on NQF 3 level with relevant practical experience (maths literacy and numeracy).

TRAINING DELIVERY

The course will be delivered through e-Learning or blended learning and through contact at the worksite.

DURATION

The duration of the course is three days.

REQUIREMENTS

Students must have access to the internet.

ASSESSMENTS

There are no formal assessments.

AWARD

A Health Systems Trust Certificate of Completion will be given to students who complete the short course.

FEES

The course fees vary, based on the number of enrolments by an organisation for the short course. A quotation per student will be given by the Course Co-ordinator, Cassius Semaushu at Cassius.Semaushu@hst.org.za. Course fees must be paid in full prior to course start dates.