Rehabilitation Capacity in South Africa—A Situational Analysis

Quinette A. Louw (), Thandi Conradie, Nolubeko Xuma-Soyizwapi, Megan Davis-Ferguson, Janine White, Marie Stols, Andronica Masipa, Pringle Mhlabane, Lungisile Mdaka, Claudina Manzini, Ivy Kekana, Marike Schutte, Simon Rabothata and Pauline Kleinitz
Additional contact information
Quinette A. Louw: Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, Western Cape, South Africa
Thandi Conradie: Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, Western Cape, South Africa
Nolubeko Xuma-Soyizwapi: Rehabilitation Services, Department of Health, Bhisho 5200, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Megan Davis-Ferguson: Disabilities and Rehabilitation, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town 8000, Western Cape, South Africa
Janine White: Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town 7789, Western Cape, South Africa
Marie Stols: Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Services, Limpopo Department of Health, Polokwane 0700, Limpopo, South Africa
Andronica Masipa: Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Services, Limpopo Department of Health, Polokwane 0700, Limpopo, South Africa
Pringle Mhlabane: Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Lungisile Mdaka: Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Claudina Manzini: Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Ivy Kekana: Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Marike Schutte: Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Simon Rabothata: Rehabilitation Service, Gauteng Department of Health, Pretoria 2001, Gauteng, South Africa
Pauline Kleinitz: Sensory Functions, Disability and Rehabilitation Unit, Department for Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: Rehabilitation in South Africa (SA) operates independently of major health services and reforms, despite the increasing rehabilitation need. With the introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI), SA is facing another major health reform. Evidence is needed on the current SA rehabilitation situation, regarding shortcomings, opportunities, and priority strategic strengthening actions. We aimed to describe the current rehabilitation capacity in the SA public health sector, which serves the majority and most vulnerable South Africans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five provinces, using the World Health Organisation’s Template for Rehabilitation Information Collection (TRIC). Participants were purposively selected for their insights and experiences of rehabilitation in specific government departments, health sectors, organisations, and/or services. TRIC responses were analysed descriptively. Participants explained how timely and effective rehabilitation produced long-term health, social, and economic benefits. Positive initiatives were reported for rehabilitation data collection, service design, and innovation. Challenges included inadequacies in human resources, the integration of rehabilitation at primary care, guidelines, and specialised long-term care facilities. The continuity of care across levels of care was sub-optimal due to inefficient referral systems. Promoting and improving rehabilitation nationally requires concerted, innovative, collaborative, and integrated efforts from multiple stakeholders within, and outside, the health system.

Keywords: capacity; public health sector; rehabilitation; South Africa; workforce (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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