Human resources for ART in the Free State public health sector: recording achievements, identifying challenges

Abstract

The shortage of human resources for health poses a serious threat to public sector ART in South Africa. In the Free State, recruitment of staff for ART emphasises the challenges of securing the necessary number and categories of health professionals. Amongst others, not all posts were filled, and some appointments left vacancies in other programmes and facilities. Practice indicates that sites should be staffed according to the demand for the service, instead of general staffing norms. It is argued that health workers who currently do not work in the programme should receive training in ART in order to spread workloads more evenly in facilities. The realities of staff frustrations and discontent also call for improved supervision and support. The study suggests that the strengthening of the health system via human resources for ART is still to transpire. To achieve this, improved strategic planning is required.