The 13th annual Rural Health Conference, hosted by the Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA), took place in Broederstroom, North West Province, from 27th to 29th August. It was co-convened by the newly-launched Wits Centre for Rural Health and the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit (RHRU). The conference attracted over 250 participants from across and beyond the country, representing various health care professions and health service management. For the first time in its history, the conference also hosted a special student track that run parallel to some of the other sessions on Saturday and was attended by 50 students.

The theme of the conference, "Tackling the Big 5: HIV-AIDS, TB, Diabetes, Hypertension and Mental Illness", served to provide examples of the challenges faced generally in addressing the rapidly increasing burden of chronic illness. Plenary sessions, workshops and free paper sessions focussed on different aspects of chronic diseases and their management - both from a clinical and a health systems perspective - and provided opportunities to discuss and debate relevant issues.

These included the need for horizontal integration of HIV, TB and other chronic diseases at PHC level, addressing issues of water, sanitation, diet, exercise and education (the ‘other’ big 5), and support for task-shifting as part of a team effort including Clinical Associates and community health workers.

A statement addressed to the Minister of Health by the students of RuDASA, calling for improvement in recruiting and training health science students in South Africa to meet the need for health workers in rural areas, was presented and adopted by the delegates in the closing session.

Highlights of the conference included the official opening speech by the Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and the presentation of the Rural Doctor of the Year award to Dr JJ Ongole.

The 2010 Rural Health Conference will be held in Swaziland. More details to follow.

• To download the full conference report, click here.
• To download the abstract book, click here.

CDs of the conference presentations are available on request.

Hosted by:

Centre for Rural Health