The Faculty has introduced two new postgraduate programmes that will contribute to developing skills needed to manage our new health system. Located in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics and Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management are niche courses set to attract much interest from public health specialists.

The 2016 cohort of the Oliver Tambo Fellowship Programme with course convenor Dr Maylene Shung King 

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics Course 

“The new and improved Diploma in Health Economics is a niche programme that responds directly to the current questions being asked in South Africa in light of the proposed reforms,” says  course convenor, Associate Professor Edina Sinanovic. She explains that it will focus on strategic purchasing of health care services with the emphasis on economic evaluation, a core skill which determines how to conduct strategic purchasing. 

Now more than ever, health economics is an important area in health policy in South Africa. With a National Health Insurance proposal on the table, there is a demand for health economics research and understanding in both the public and private sector. The School of Public Health and Family Medicine is meeting this demand by reviving the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics, which was dormant for four years. 

The 2010 World Health Report on financing for universal coverage points to the importance of the purchasing function of health financing noting that: “Raising sufficient money for health is imperative, but just having the money will not ensure universal coverage. Nor will removing financial barriers to access through prepayment and pooling. The final requirement is to ensure resources are used efficiently.” Purchasing is the critical link between resources mobilised for universal coverage and the effective delivery of quality services.

The programme’s relevancy to South Africa is heightened further by the participation of only local participants from the public and private sector. After a high number of applicants expressed interest in taking part, the programme enrolled 37 participants who will take the online course over two years. Associate Professor Sinanovic expressed excitement over the new programme, adding that the teaching staff are looking forward to sharing their wealth of experience with the participants. 

Oliver Tambo Fellowship Programme 

Named after Oliver Tambo, the core of the refreshed Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management is addressed at leaders and managers in the health sector who aspire to create public value. As South Africa moves towards universal health coverage, through the proposed National Health Insurance, decisive leadership and stronger health systems management will play a significant role in improving outcomes. Over the life of the Diploma, the emphasis has extended beyond the initial management, economics and finance focus, to one offering abroad health systems perspective, where the public value of health systems, leadership of policy and system development, and health as a basic human right are key areas of focus. 

“The programme attracts those leading change within a complex and transforming health system, aimed at providing equitable health services to all,” says Maylene Shung King, course convener, explaining that it is targeted at current and aspiring health managers.

The Diploma draws from the interdisciplinary fields of health systems, policy analysis, health economics and public management to empower participants and inspire them to innovate in pursuit of health system improvement. Sustained engagement with participants’ workplace settings is a key component. The final course of the Diploma is an action-learning project focused on a significant health system improvement opportunity in the participants’ workplaces. Not only does the project provide a vehicle to synthesise and integrate newly acquired skills, it encourages the engagement of the new ideas with employers and team members in context. With a large pool of alumni across the country the success of this course is evident from feedback of previous participants in a recent, positive evaluation of the programme. Some view it is a life-changing experience and essential for novice managers who are required to act and think strategically from the onset. The current cohort commenced their studies in February and will complete their training in 15 months.