CHP is one of the few multi-disciplinary health policy units in South Africa and has over 20 years of research experience. The primary focus of our research is to support the development of the South African health system. As an academic research group, CHP draws together theoretical insights and empirical evidence in understanding health system change and in proposing strategies for future health systems development. We conduct both independently-funded research projects as well as commissioned research for the South African government and other South African organisations. Current research projects include the following:
Research on the State of Nursing (RESON): Recent attention on the nursing profession by philanthropic organisations, the SA government and the largest nurses’ association in SA serves as a starting point for critical, scholarly analysis of the state of the nursing profession in South Africa. This research project aims to explore the state of nursing policies, practice and management in South Africa. It is a four-year research programme funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies to develop and strengthen the research evidence for improved nursing policy development and practice. The lead researcher is Prof. Laetitia Rispel. Tel: +27 11 717 2543; Email: Laetitia.rispel@wits.ac.za
Researching Access to Health Care (REACH): Improving and securing access to good quality health care is a central and cross-cutting preoccupation of CHP's work. Bronwyn Harris is leading this project. Tel: +27 11 717 3427; Fax: +27 11717 3429; Email: bronwyn.harris@wits.ac.za
Resilient and Responsive Health Systems (RESYST): This international consortium aims to encourage policy and management changes that enhance the resilience and responsiveness of health systems in low and middle income countries to promote health and health equity and reduce poverty. Prudence Ditlopo is the focal point person for this project. Tel: +27 11 717 3433; Fax: +27 11 717 3429; Email: Prudence.ditlopo@wits.ac.za
CHP is a partner in a collaborative 5 year research programme funded by DFID known as the Consortium for Research on Equitable Health Systems (CREHS). Other countries include India, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, UK) to increase what we know about how to strengthen health systems policies and interventions ways which preferentially benefit the poorest. The lead researcher is Dr Duane Blaauw. Tel: +27 11 717 3422; Fax: +27 11 717 3429; Email: duane.blaauw@wits.ac.za
Universal Health Care Coverage in Tanzania and South Africa (UNITAS): South Africa is introducing National Health Insurance through proposed mandatory contributions by formal health care sectors. Tanzania is integrating existing health insurance schemes for formal and informal sector workers under a single insurer. This research aims to support these reforms intended to achieve universal coverage by monitoring and evaluating the policy processes. Heading up this project is Bronwyn Harris. Tel: +27 11 717 3427; Fax:+27 11 717 3429; bronwyn.harris@wits.ac.za
The Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa (CHEPSAA): The development of sustained African health policy and systems research capacity requires the consolidation and strengthening of relevant research and educational programmes as well as the development of stronger engagement between the policy and research communities. This consortium will address these issues in 2011-2015. The research leader of this project is Nonhlanhla Nxumalo. Tel: +27 11 717 3432; Fax: +27 11 717 3429; Email: nonhlahla.nxumalo@wits.ac.za
Strategies for Health Insurance for Equity in Less Developed Countries (SHIELD) is a collaborative project with the Health Economics Unit at the University of Cape Town underway with European Union funding in South Africa, Ghana (Ghana Health Research Unit) and Tanzania (Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre) and includes European collaborators (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Karolinska Institute, Sweden; and Royal Tropical Institute, Netherlands). CHP Director, Dr Jane Goudge, heads up this project. Tel:+27 11 717 3425; Fax:+27 11 717 3429; Email: jane.goudge@gmail.com
The Diagonal Interventions to Fast Forward Enhanced Reproductive health (DIFFER) works on improving sexual and reproductive health services by defining packages of SRH services and models for delivery that meet the needs of all women and impact positively on their health. Associate Prof. Matthew Chersich manages the South African part of the project. Tel: +27 11 717 2439; Fax: +27 11 717 3429; Email: matthew.chersich@wits.ac.za
The Multilateral Association for Studying health inequalities and enhancing north-south and south-south CO-operaTion (MASCOT) strives to create links between three world regions (Europe, Africa and Latin America) for addressing maternal and child health and health inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. Associate Prof. Matthew Chersich is the focal person. Tel: +27 11 717 2439; Fax: +27 11 717 3429; Email: matthew.chersich@wits.ac.za
Mainstreaming a health systems approach to delivery of maternal health services: transdisciplinary research in Rwanda and South Africa (WOTRO) is a four-year project primarily focusing on gathering practical knowledge for improving service organisation and delivery for maternal health. The research leader is Associate Prof. Matthew Chersich. Tel: +27 11 717 2439 Fax: +27 11 717 3429 Email: matthew.chersich@wits.ac.za
General enquries: Contact Ann Luusah, senior secretary, on Tel: 27 11 717 3420; Fax: 27 11 717 3429; Email: Ann.luusah@wits.ac.za
