27th Annual Student Research Conference
South Africa's Return to Primary Health Care: The Strides, the Struggles, and the Significance
Priya F. Maillacheruvu
Dr. Elaine McDuff, Faculty Mentor
Primary health care has a unique history in South Africa, where a clinic was started in the 1940s to provide holistic health care to rural communities. The racial and social inequalities brought by apartheid caused this progression in medical care to be reversed until South Africa's liberation in 1990. Since then, the nation has attempted to adopt a health care system with its main focus on primary care and prevention. However, given the numerous other issues the government faces regarding the economy and politics, the establishment of a strong primary care network has proven difficult. In May and June 2013, I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa and volunteered at a large public primary health care facility. By relating the history of South Africa's primary care system with personal experiences, I highlight the need for continued awareness and suggest areas for improvement within primary health care in the post-apartheid nation.
Keywords: South Africa, primary care, apartheid, private vs. public health care, burden of disease
Topic(s):Democracy and Human Rights in South Africa
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 305-4
Location: MG 2090
Time: 1:45