A baseline assessment of Department of Health partnerships with non-profit organisations

Abstract

A baseline assessment was conducted in five provinces participating in the Partnership for the Delivery of Primary Health Care Programme. It included district analysis; government capacity to manage partnerships with non-profit organisations (NPOs); NPO access, capacity and quality, and home-based care (HBC). Most districts had contracts with NPOs, identified delivery gaps to be filled by NPOs and the need to improve the management capacity of NPOs. Government capacity to manage partnerships with NPOs seemed generally sub-optimal. Partnership between NPOs and government was positive with weaknesses in regard to funding and training. The quality of NPO service was overall satisfactory. Home-based care reported the need to improve patients' hygiene and the prevention of infection.