Directorate Chronic Diseases, Disabilities and Geriatrics

Background Information of Directorate

The Directorate is focussed on matters pertaining to chronic diseases, prevention of blindness, cancers, disabilities and rehabilitation as well as geriatrics. While individual units are responsible for the realisation of their specific objectives, desired integration and collaboration at all levels and between all sectors are strongly advocated. It is envisaged that all support offered by the Directorate to Provinces will be aligned to the Department’s Vision and more especially be cogniscent of the human rights of all persons.

Vision

An accessible, caring and high quality service to persons who have chronic diseases, cancers, eye conditions and disabilities; those who are at risk as well as older persons.

Mission

To improve health status through the prevention of illnesses and promotion of healthy lifestyles and to consistently improve the health care delivery system by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.

Strategic Planning

The Directorate: Chronic Diseases, Disabilities and Geriatrics’ Strategic Planning is aligned with the Department’s Strategic Planning.

Objectives

The Objectives of the Directorate with regard to the target groups are:

1. To provide clinical management guidelines, tools, strategies and policies which enhance quality management of such persons.
2. To support Provinces to develop, enhance and sustain the comprehensive management of persons with chronic diseases, cancers, eye conditions, disabilities; those at risk as well as older persons.
3. To support the monitoring and evaluation of related policies, strategies and guidelines at a Provincial level.
4. To support the capacity development, in-service training as well as therapeutic education of health personnel providing services to the above target groups.
5. To participate in relevant intersectoral processes at National and International levels.
6. To facilitate contribution toward research in related fields.

Programmes / Projects & Project Leaders

Programme: Chronic Diseases, Prevention of Blindness and National Cancer Control Programme
Ms Anne Croasdale
Deputy Director: Chronic Diseases
Room 1611, Fedlife building
CroasA@health.gov.za
312 0461 (t)
312 0808 (f)

Programme: Disabilities
Mr MV Tshivhase
Deputy Director: Disabilities
Room 1606, Fedlife building
TshivM@health.gov.za
312 0462 (t)
312 0808 (f)

Programme: Geriatrics
Deputy Director: Geriatrics
Dr Marie Strydom
Room 1610, Fedlife building
StrydM@health.gov.za
312 0521 (t)
312 0808 (f)

Project: Therapeutic Education
Ms Elmarie van der Walt
Room 1605, Fedlife building
vdwale@health.gov.za
312 0465 (t)
312 0808 (f)

Publications / Guidelines

Chronic Diseases

1. Hypertension - National programme for control and management at primary level (PDF)
2. Diabetes - National programme for control and management of diabetes type 2 at primary level (PDF)
3. National guideline on primary prevention and prophylaxis of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) for health professionals at primary level (PDF)
4. Asthma – National guideline on management and control of asthma in children at primary level
5. National guideline on primary prevention of chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL) (PDF)
6. National guideline for cervical cancer screening programme (PDF)
7. National guideline on management and control of eye conditions at primary level (PDF)
8. Guidelines for cataract surgery in South Africa
9. National guideline: Prevention of blindness in South Africa (PDF)
10. Information on female breast cancer for primary level health care providers
11. National guideline: Management of asthma in adults at primary level (PDF)
12. National guideline: Palliative care for adults – A guide for health professionals in South Africa
13. National Guideline: Testing for prostate cancer at primary level and hospital level
14. National guideline: Prevention and management of Overweight and Obesity in South Africa
15. Management of Diabetes type 1 and 2 in adults at hospital level
16. National Guideline: Refractive errors screening for 60 years and older
17. National guideline: Management of Epilepsy in adults – all levels of care
18. National guideline: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – A Strategic Vision (PDF)

Geriatrics

1. National guideline on prevention, early detection/identification and intervention of physical abuse of older persons at primary level (PDF)
2. Guideline for the promotion of active ageing in older adults at primary level (PDF)
3. National guideline on prevention of falls of older persons (PDF)
4. National guideline on foot health at primary level (PDF)
5. National strategy on elder abuse (PDF)
6. National strategy on elder abuse – Baseline document
7. National guideline on long term domiciliary oxygen therapy (PDF)
8. National guideline on home-based care and community based care
9. National guidelines on stroke and transient ischaemic attack management (PDF)
10. National guideline on osteoporosis
11. National guideline on early detection and management of arthritis in adult at primary level
12. National guideline on management of menopause, health promotive measures at primary level
13. National guideline: Clinical management of psychogeriatrics at hospital level

Disabilities

1. Guideline for the prevention of hearing impairment due to Otitis Media at clinic level
2. Rehabilitation for all - National Rehabilitation Policy
3. Recommended minimum criteria to improve access to health care facilities for disabled people
4. Standardisation of provision of assistive devices in South Africa – A guide for use in the public health sector
5. Free health care for disabled people at hospital level - PDF
6. Free health care for disabled people at hospital level – Assessment tool and training manual

Posters

1. Management Algorithm for hypertension at primary level
2. Management Algorithm for diabetes type 2 at primary level
3. “Your health is in your hands” (8)
4. Breast cancer information [PDF]
5. Free health care for disabled people

Pamphlets

1. Foot health
2. Bed exercises
3. Chair exercises
4. Principles and hints to be adhered to by reproductive health care providers in attending to people with disabilities
5. Things to consider when assisting persons with disabilities
6. Arthritis Information for patients
7. Testicular cancer patient information
8. Cataract information for patients

IEC Booklets/Audio Tapes/ Video Tapes

• Set of 7 booklets
• Set of 2 audio tapes
• 1 video tape

^ top