Dr KS Chetty obtained the degree MB.ChB from the University of Natal Medical School in 1984 and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (MSc URP) from the same University in 1992. In 1993 she obtained her specialist degree in Public Health and was accorded Fellow of the Faculty of Community Health of South Africa at the College of Medicine. She did her Internship at King Edward Hospital, Durban in 1985/86 and thereafter she continued her service as a Medical Officer/ Junior Registrar. From 1987-1989 she was Primary Health Care Coordinator and National Organiser for the National Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA). From 1991 - 1994 she was a specialist in training in the Department of Community Health, University of Cape Town during the period 1991 - 1994. For the period 1993 - 1994 she was seconded to the ANC Health Department, Head Office where she played a key role in the drafting of the ANC Health Plan.
Dr Chetty was initially appointed as a member of the Strategic Management Team and then appointed as Chief Director in the Department of Economic Affairs and RDP - Western Cape She was responsible for the coordination of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in the Western Cape for the period 1994 - 1997.
In 1997 she was appointed as Deputy Director General at the Gauteng Health Department where she was responsible for the Health Service Delivery Branch. Her responsibilities included inter alia:
In addition, she acted as Head of Department on numerous occasions, and represented the HOD and MEC in a number of forums.
Dr Chetty joined the National Department of Health on 1 July 2000 and she serves as Deputy Director-General: Health Service Delivery.
Her portfolio is responsible for the following Clusters and Units:
As head of the Branch Health Service Delivery, Dr Chetty has an overall responsibility with regard to the development of policy for the provision and management of hospital services, health technology, radiation control and emergency medical services. The management of conditional grant funding for hospitals, coordination of the building and upgrading of hospitals/clinics and the provision of medical advice is also crucial. The human resource programmes develop policies, norms and standards to ensure that appropriate numbers and categories of personnel are trained and retained for the health sector. Disease prevention and control develops policy on management of priority diseases, provides financial support to various organizations, subsidises vaccine production and virological services. Another important part of this responsibility is the establishment of a National Health Laboratory Service and the rationalization of blood transfusion services and medico-legal mortuaries. Non-personal health services aims at increasing public knowledge and the fostering of healthy lifestyles and community action via health promotion campaigns in the areas of occupational and environmental health issues. The health and welfare sector negotiations facilitate the promotion of labour peace in the sector, promote and maintain sound relations with labour and negotiate collective agreements on matters of mutual interest.
Dr Chetty can be contacted at the Department of Health, Civitas building Room 2527. Her telephone and fax numbers are (012) 312 0945 and (012) 326 5484 respectively.
The Branch Health Service Delivery developed a comprehensive list of priorities for the year 2001/2002. These were linked to the strategic priorities as set out in the Ten Point Plan. The Deputy Director-General also started the process of developing a Strategic Plan for the whole of the Department and the first draft has been circulated to Managers to add and comment on the issues listed in the document.
Dr Chetty will focus specifically on a number of important issues like containing the current cholera epidemic as part of the strategic objective to decrease morbidity and mortality. With regard to the reorganization of certain support services she will facilitate the finalisation of the draft Regulations for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the establishment of a functional Board for National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) and the appointment of key personnel. The revitalization of hospital services is an important area where the Deputy Director-General will focus on finalisation of the Integrated National Planning Framework and the hospital appraisal initiative with the World Bank. Her contribution to human resource development and management will focus on the finalisation and implementation of a comprehensive human resource plan and the revision of scopes of practice of five health professional groups. Although there will be many activities regarding the legislative reform, Dr Chetty's contribution will be mainly on the tabling of the National Health Bill. She will facilitate the production of an annual plan and concentrate on the strengthening of the Communication unit as part of her focus on improving communication and consultation.