Factors impacting negatively on the implementation of the Integrated Health Policy in Gauteng

Abstract

The School Health Policy in South Africa has evolved over the years in which the Department of Heath was the sole custodian; The Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) emerged in 2012 as result of the evolvement. The ISHP is now in the responsibility of the Department of Heath, the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Social Department. This integration came as a result of a realisation that the heath of a child is not just physical but it is all encompassing and it requires the involvement of many actors and processes. This study explored the implementation management of the ISHP in Gauteng. The research involved the investigation into internal and external factors that interfere with the implementation of the ISHP in Gauteng. A qualitative case study research was conducted. In-depth semi-structured interviews of key informants were used as primary data collection tools. This approach uncovered intricate relationships as well as complex and interrelated factors that have an influence on the implementation of the ISHP. Results reflected an improvement from the previous school health policy. There are also factors that have been revealed that interfere with and are a hindrance to the implementation of the ISHP; the results revealed challenges that are related to the environment, technical and management capacity that are hindrances to implementation of the ISHP. These have led to loopholes that include inadequate participation of stakeholder in the implementation of the policy. This research provides the responsible Gauteng departments with recommendations for improving the implementation process of the ISHP in the immediate future. The conclusion of the study is that that there is no ‘one way’ of implementing policy but ways to remove some of the hindrances to implementation can be found.