Impact of HIV and AIDS on health systems
Overview:
A pilot study, conducted during 2005, provided some initial insights through co-ordinated research in South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Its focus was on the system of management and administration of public health services. From this study two broad focus areas were identified for the main phase research. Firstly how HIV and AIDS interventions affect a decentralised (or decentralising) health system; secondly, looking at different models of partnership (NGO,faith-based organisation, community, donor), generally for the health sector, and more specifically in relation to HIV and AIDS interventions.
Objectives:
• To understand how the public health services in South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia are functioning in the context of HIV and AIDS
• To understand how public health care delivery is managed in these countries
• To understand how the administrative and management systems are changing.
Methodological approach:
Key research questions:
• What are the consequences/ramifications (of intended and unintended effects of HIV and AIDS) for the capacity of the health system to deliver both general healthcare and HIV and AIDS health care?
• What are the consequences/ramifications (of intended and unintended effects) for the future development of health systems in Eastern and Southern Africa?
• What is the ‘optimal organisation’ of health care in relation to HIV and AIDS?
• How might the different models of partnership affect their longer-term sustainability?