1. Background (brief history)

In October 2012, the Department of Health and of Basic Education introduced the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), that aims to strengthen South Africa’s holistic school health services for learners, including a focus on Comprehensive Sexuality Education. By providing a more comprehensive package of services, the goal is to address conditions that contribute to morbidity and mortality among students, as well as barriers to learning.

Health services were previously conducted only through health screenings and referrals, and this multisectoral programme – jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education – enables students to access a variety of health services within schools, through mobile outreach and through strengthened referrals to community health facilities. Each student is assessed individually and regularly by a school health team that is led by a professional nurse

 

Website: 

 

   2. Areas of expertise

The ISHP seeks to provide preventive and promotive services that address the health needs of schoolgoing children and youth with regard to both their immediate and future health, by offering:

• Health Promotion and Health Education

• Provision of an essential package of health services in schools

• Coordination and Partnership

• Capacity Building

• Community Participation

• Health screening and on-site service.

 

   3. Strengths in the ICPD

The school health package that is implemented by the program includes health screening and health education in various subjects, such as oral health, vision nutritional assessment, among others. While doing so, the programme also includes education about sexual abuse, sexual and reproductive health, contraception and education about sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV. In addition, it provides on-site services, with provision of “dual protection (to prevent pregnancy and STIs, including HIV infection)”.

 

   4. Quality assurance/ previous evaluation

UNFPA, UNESCO and UNICEF helped develop the programme, but also worked to support and promote it. Moreover, UNFPA featured the Integrated School Health Programme in its Evidence and Action publication on good practices.

 

   5. Experience in South-South Cooperation initiatives

This particular programme was developed through a partnership with the abovementioned agencies, civil society, School Governing Bodies and the Departments of Health and Basic Education. The government of South Africa, and consequently both Departments, have long invested in South South Cooperation.

The Department of Health, for instance, has cooperated with the Ministries of Health from Kenya, Lesotho and Mozambique for technical cooperation on medical supply chains management[5], and South Africa is a member in the Partners in Population and Development organization.