Historic Framework Agreement Between Western Cape Department of Health and SALGA

The Western Cape Minister of Health, Pierre Uys, and the Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association Western Cape (SALGA WC), Councillor William Mxolose, signed an historic framework agreement in Cape Town governing the transfer of Personal Primary Health Care (PPHC) services previously provided by nonmetropolitan municipalities to the Western Cape Government.

This agreement relates to PPHC services provided by local and district municipalities, and does not include these services in the City of Cape Town at this time.

The agreement flows from the National Health Act No 61 of 2003, that defines municipal health services as environmental health services, transferring responsibility for all other aspects of the primary health care to the Province. The process of assuming responsibility for PPHC services started in March 2005 with a joint announcement by SALGA Western Cape and the Minister at a meeting attended by Western Cape mayors and municipal managers. From 1 April 2005, the Province fully funded PPHC services and on 1 March 2006, took operational control of these services in the non-metropolitan areas as stipulated in the framework agreement.

In practice, this means that the Department of Health is now responsible for PPHC services in non-metropolitan areas operationally managing:

• Staff at clinics
• Assets and liabilities
• All communications and other records
• Financial administration
• Standard operating procedures
• Budget control and delegations
• All other aspects of the primary health care services that will ensure the uninterrupted provision of the services.

The framework agreement signed with SALGA also provides for a joint technical working group to manage the details of the staff transfer process that involves more than 900 staff members joining the Provincial Health Department. The staff will be offered an even weighted package of remuneration and conditions of service. The transfer of a large number of fixed assets (mainly clinics) and moveable assets (vehicles and equipment) are progressing well and the verification of asset schedules is currently under way.

Minister Uys welcomed the signing of the framework agreement, saying that local government had eagerly awaited it. "This decision involves all the spheres of government and rings in a new era in the provision of primary health care services in the non-metropolitan areas of our province. Not only will it potentially free up funds previously used for this purpose by municipalities, it will also result in efficiency gains and a better service to our patients. In fact, we are already extending services in some areas and appointing more staff to provide these services".

Uys says that while the agreement signed with SALGA sets the framework within which the transfer has to take place, an operational agreement between the individual municipalities and the Provincial Department of Health will manage the details of the transfer of services. "It is clear that we are in the final stretch of assuming full responsibility for PPHC services in the non-metropolitan areas of the Province and the framework agreement signed with SALGA will add further impetus to the process. I want to commend municipalities for their cooperation and welcome the PPHC staff that will be joining us in the near future."

Issued by:
The Directorate Communications
Office of the Superintendent of Health, Western Cape
Department of Health
Faiza Steyn
Director: Communication
Tel: 021 483 3235
Email: fsteyn@pgwc.gov.za