Aurum Institute and CDC South Africa
CDC partnership is a model of health system strengthening
The Aurum Institute is a research and health systems management organization that focuses on TB and HIV prevention, treatment and care. The Aurum Institute TB and HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Programme has been in existence since October 2002, with the first patient prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) by Aurum clinicians in November 2002. The Arum Institute works in coordination with the South African National Department of Health (NDOH) to increase services at the district and local level.
With support and collaboration with PEPFAR and CDC South Africa, Aurum has increased its partnership links with the NDOH in a number of identified sub-districts. The Aurum team has applied a two-pronged model to its successful work (a) continue with direct service delivery, and (b) strengthen the health systems and develop the capacity within the public sector to enhance the service delivery through the NDOH.
Health Systems Strengthening (HSS)
Aurum works with the facilities to support Ekurhuleni North sub-district in health systems strengthening. The range of activities includes:
Health Care Worker Training
- To date, Aurum has trained 97% of the target 180 Professional Nurses (PNs) in the recently introduced Nurse Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (NIMART) – which includes PMTCT, pediatric HIV management and ART; and adult HIV management and ART
- 77% of the assessed clinics have been offered support to provide PMTCT services; Aurum has exceeded the target of 100 PNs earmarked for PMTCT training
- 65% of the surveyed Aurum supported clinics offer Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) and 77% of the target PNs have been trained in IMCI.
Data Management Support, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Aurum offers data management training and support in all the facilities in Ekureleni North
- This is a phased approach consisting of assessment of facilities’ ability to manually capture data; capacity to submit program data to sub districts which feeds into the District Health Information System (DHIS). The second phase is to development of a Register Database to replace manual data capture with subsequent upload into the DHIS. Final phase is implementation of a fully electronic, DOH-approved Data Management System.
- Monitoring and Evaluation of DOH Community and Facility Activities: analysis of program data (HCT, PMTCT, Pediatric Care, Adult Care) will form the content of quarterly Quality Review Meetings between Aurum and the facilities.
The overall objective is to strengthen the Basic Care Package (Pre-ART) and ART services within facilities, facilitate a comprehensive community program in the clinic catchment areas, and collaborate with other partners operating within the sub-district.
The service delivery model includes the general practitioner network contracted to Aurum, and support to a number of state facilities including the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and NGOs. These clinics are currently being transferred to South African run facilities.
For more information visit: www.auruminstitute.org
