The Department of Health is committed to enhancing PHC, and a PHC task team has noted specific opportunities for improvement, including strengthening the district health system, placing more emphasis on population-based health and outcomes, and focusing on a selected number of health priorities. In this context, a drive to re-engineer PHC has been launched, and the idea of a sub-district demonstration project is gaining momentum. This projects approach is guided by partnerships with DOH in support of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2012-2016 and the US-SA PEPFAR Partnership Framework. The approach is also aligned with the PHC re-engineering document, including the themes of capacity building at the district health system / district management team (DMT) level, emphasizing population-based health outcomes and community-based services, and focusing on a selected number of health priorities. It is also aligned with the Eastern Cape Department of Healths emphasis on revitalization of primary health care (r-PHC). The project is to support the Eastern Cape Department of Health in its efforts to design, develop, and pilot expanded primary health services, with a particular focus on enabling PHC outreach teams and community health workers (CHW) and Specialist Teams focusing on MCH to provide the PHC package as defined by DOH, and to link facility- and community-based services. In partnership with DOH, the project will support a model network within King Sabata Dalindyebo KSD sub-district, supporting the sub-district management team to enhance health workforce management, referral systems, service integration, and quality improvement.

The goal of this project is to undertake the full implementation of the revitalization of primary health care initiative at King Sabata Dalindyebo Sub-district (KSD) in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape Province. The workplan will be strongly aligned with the KSD Plan, consistent with priorities and themes of ECDOHs vision for revitalizing primary health care in the Eastern Cape Province. The key components of the project are:1. Mapping/GIS of health systems outlets; assessment of existing linkage and referral systems; rapid site assessments focusing on key domains including leadership, resources, infrastructure development and needs, clinical systems, equipment and supplies needs, laboratory capacities, supply chain management systems and monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance activities), information about staffing; training needs analysis and existing cadres of health workers including assessment and review of a comprehensive Community Health Worker program. 2. Intensive capacity building efforts to support EC provincial, district and sub-district DOH staff. Activities will include providing support for convening and workshops, train and build skills on implementing r-PHC. Didactic, webinar-based and distance learning platform training and mentoring on germane areas such as health systems strengthening, integration of services and implementation science will also start in this phase and continue throughout the length of the project. The project will also support training and mentoring for DOH staff members (provincial, district and sub-district) who are specifically responsible for the implementation of r-PHC for the province.3. Focus on implementing the M&E strategy and framework and ensuring quality assurance for implementation activities that will make KSD a model network. In collaboration with DOH, activities include: collation and review of available M&E tools, registers and reporting mechanisms; development and implementation of an M&E framework with key stakeholders; development/adaptation of needed tools, databases, analytic frameworks, training and mentorship protocols; support for the development and dissemination of findings.

The goal of this project is to undertake the full implementation of the revitalization of primary health care initiative at King Sabata Dalindyebo Sub-district (KSD) in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape Province. The workplan will be strongly aligned with the KSD Plan, consistent with priorities and themes of ECDOHs vision for revitalizing primary health care in the Eastern Cape Province. The key components of the project are: 1. Mapping/GIS of health systems outlets assessment of existing linkage and referral systems; rapid site assessments focusing on key domains including leadership, resources, infrastructure development and needs, clinical systems, equipment and supplies needs, laboratory capacities, supply chain management systems and monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance activities), information about staffing; training needs analysis and existing cadres of health workers including assessment and review of a comprehensive Community Health Worker program. 2. Intensive capacity building efforts to support EC provincial, district and sub-district DOH staff. Activities will include providing support for convening and workshops, train and build skills on implementing r-PHC. Didactic, webinar-based and distance learning platform training and mentoring on germane areas such as health systems strengthening, integration of services and implementation science will also start in this phase and continue throughout the length of the project. The project will also support training and mentoring for DOH staff members (provincial, district and sub-district) who are specifically responsible for the implementation of r-PHC for the province. 3. Focus on implementing the M&E strategy and framework and ensuring quality assurance for implementation activities that will make KSD a model network. In collaboration with DOH, activities include: collation and review of available M&E tools, registers and reporting mechanisms; development and implementation of an M&E framework with key stakeholders; development/adaptation of needed tools, databases, analytic frameworks, training and mentorship protocols; support for the development and dissemination of findings.