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UFS CHSR&D drives research to advance stronger health systems

21 October 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Stephen Collett

Centre for Health Systems Research & Development team — For more than three decades, the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development (CHSR&D) has been actively involved in efforts to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes through its research and community engagement initiatives. Pictured are members of the CHSR&D team. From the left: Prof Gladys Kigozi-Male, Bridget Smit, Dr Ngwi Mulu, and Prof Michelle Engelbrecht. Absent, Prof Christo Heunis.

The Centre for Health Systems Research & Development (CHSR&D) at the University of the Free State (UFS) has played a key role in health systems research in South Africa. Established in 1993, the centre is built on a strong foundation of medical sociology and the sociology of health, addressing some of the most critical challenges in public health. For more than three decades, the centre has been actively involved in efforts to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes through its research and community engagement initiatives.

The centre’s primary mission is clear: to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge that informs and improves health policies, strategies, and practices at the local, provincial, and national levels. As health systems worldwide continue to grapple with new and emerging challenges, the CHSR&D has positioned itself as a critical resource for evidence-based solutions that drive progress towards improved health outcomes. The centre also provides postgraduate training and capacity building that contributes to expanding expertise in health, health systems, and health-care research and development.

Focus on priority health programmes

According to Prof Michelle Engelbrecht, Director of the centre and an Associate Professor, the CHSR&D’s research portfolio covers a wide range of issues that are critical to the development of a strong health system. “The centre focuses on areas such as public health policy implementation and operational functioning, human resources for health, occupational health, and priority health programmes such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV prevention and control, sexual and reproductive health, as well as mental health. In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the centre prioritised research to enhance understanding of this global crisis. Notable studies from the past five years include COVID-19 vaccine literacy and acceptability, the psychological well-being of nurses during the second wave of COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on essential health services in the Free State. Additionally, over the past five years, the centre has focused on the increased co-morbidity between TB and mental health, aiming to develop more holistic approaches to TB treatment towards improved TB programme performance.”

One of the CHSR&D's most impactful initiatives is its work in sexual and reproductive health, specifically its programme aimed at including men in the pregnancy and birth process. Historically, men have often been excluded from prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care, which can negatively affect the health of mothers and babies. The centre is working to change this by advocating for men’s involvement in all stages of the pregnancy and birth process, creating a more supportive environment for expectant mothers and improving family health outcomes. By focusing on developing support systems and resources for men to participate actively in reproductive health, they are also working to shift policies and cultural norms that have traditionally sidelined male involvement in these critical moments.

As the world continues to confront the challenges posed by universal access to health care, South Africa is undertaking the greatest experiment ever in attempting to equalise access to quality health care by treating health care not as a commodity, but as a human right, namely through the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI). Prof Christo Heunis, also an Associate Professor in the centre, says that the CHSR&D’s work in these areas is more important than ever. “If NHI is to be successful, (public) health systems strengthening is required. Health-related research and development, as well as the capacity to conduct such research and development – to inform health systems strengthening – is the fundamental purpose of CHSR&D.”

Collaboration with communities

Engaging with the community is at the heart of the CHSR&D’s work. The centre has a long history of working with local communities to identify health priorities and develop solutions that are responsive to the needs of those they serve. Prof Gladys Kigozi-Male, an Associate Professor as well, notes that this commitment ensures that the centre's work is not only academically thorough, but also practically relevant and impactful.

The CHSR&D also works closely with key partners and collaborators to expand the reach and impact of its research. “The centre has a longstanding partnership with the Free State Department of Health and is actively involved in the Provincial Health Research Committee. These collaborations allow the centre to contribute to health systems strengthening in meaningful ways, particularly through citizen-centred assessment of public health-care service delivery,” adds Prof Kigozi-Male.

In addition to its local collaborations, the centre partners with international academic institutions such as the University of South Carolina (USA) and Makerere University in Kampala (Uganda). These partnerships enable the CHSR&D to exchange knowledge and best practices with global health experts, further enhancing the quality and impact of its research. Civil society organisations such as Mosamaria Aids Ministry, Sonke Gender Justice, and loveLife also play a critical role in the centre’s work, helping to bridge the gap between research and implementation on the ground.

Quality, reliability, and future goals

"At the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, we align with the UFS’ Vision 130, which emphasises transformation and an outward approach. We are dedicated to engaging with local and regional communities, pursuing knowledge that addresses the needs and aspirations of the Free State, South Africa, and the broader African continent. Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability in our research is unwavering. By employing a variety of methodological approaches – quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods – we ensure that our research findings are comprehensive and can confidently inform health policies and strategies," notes Prof Engelbrecht.

In conclusion, the CHSR&D remains a critical player in the landscape of public health research and development. Its commitment to high-quality research ensures that it will continue to drive progress in health systems development and improve health outcomes for the foreseeable future. CHSR&D staff are dedicated to providing high-quality postgraduate supervision, undertaking necessary research to strengthen health systems, producing internationally impactful publications, and remaining locally and regionally relevant.

News Archive

Prof Frederick Fourie to step down as UFS rector

2008-09-08

“It is with sadness that I hereby announce my intention to step down as rector and vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS) in the 4th quarter of this year.

Obviously this decision has not been taken lightly. After careful consideration I am, however, convinced that this is as far as I can take the UFS as vice-chancellor and rector. This flows primarily from the exhausting times that I have experienced during the past nine years, first as vice-rector (since 1999) and then as rector (since 2003), in managing and implementing several complex strategic projects.

The challenges and complexities of continuous change management at a higher education institution, and specifically the demands of further dynamic development and transformation at the UFS, demand enormous amounts of emotional energy and drive. For me the stress due to, especially, the political divisions and tensions in the UFS Council and the broader university community during the past year has been extremely draining. The broader institution and its people also show signs of trauma.

I think it is time for new and fresh leadership, especially in the light of the transformation challenges of the UFS.

I have thus decided to step down in the interest of transformation and the further dynamic development of the UFS.

Having been on sabbatical leave since May, I will not return to take up my post. I will remain on leave until my official date of retirement from office. (The exact date must still be determined.)

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been at the helm of the UFS and to help the institution cross several bridges. During the past nine years I have been privileged to lead large strategic projects together with many dedicated and talented UFS colleagues. It has been a wonderful experience of thinking and working together in order to elevate the functioning of the University to new levels in several key areas.

One of the most important projects was the financial turnaround strategy of 2000-2005, which took the UFS from a financial crisis to a situation where currently it annually has almost R100 million of discretionary funding available to spend on strategic projects, and where staff remuneration and promotion opportunities have increased dramatically since 2000. In this period the UFS has also grown from approximately 10 000 students to more than 27 000 in 2008.

A second was the strategy to invest strongly in the academic core and notably research, research capacity and research apparatus. Since 2003 research outputs have increased by approximately 50% - a significant accomplishment of our researchers and faculties. In conjunction with this, the launch of the six strategic academic clusters (focus areas) should create the basis for the continued growth in the national and international stature of the UFS in future. The development of the national leadership role of the UFS with regard to community service also was a special and successful project.

A third large strategic project was the progress with regard to diversity, the balanced multilingualism policy in the academe as well as the administration, the employment equity plan, the UFS transformation plan and especially the institutional charter – which could lay the foundation for a university where one and all can experience a true sense of belonging amidst diversity. These have been important steps that we can feel proud of (although much work obviously remains with regard to non-racialism and also non-sexism).

As far as residences are concerned, it was historically significant that this time, in contrast to 1997/8, the UFS succeeded in crossing the bridge of diversity and integration in residences – with due regard to the difficulties we faced. Hopefully this will considerably ease the task of my successor and her/his management team in managing diversity and in pursuing best practice transformation.

A fourth large project was the large-scale upgrading and development of infrastructure, academic buildings and facilities as well as support service facilities, student facilities and pedestrian walkways. The objective was a campus of the highest quality and aesthetics to effect a lasting improvement in their work- and living environment for staff and students. Indeed, the UFS Main Campus today is seen as an example of sensitive and high quality campus planning.

Other initiatives which haven’t borne fruit yet are, for example, those with regard to entrepreneurial activities, sport development and sport business development, and the possible establishment of an engineering programme or faculty at the UFS.

On the whole the most important thing for me has been the progress in establishing a deep commitment to quality and equity/fairness and in boosting the national and international profile of the UFS as a high quality progressive university. Of course, justice, equity and quality intrinsically are challenges which require daily dedication to make it an ingrained habit.

I wish to thank all those people with whom I could work during the past years in tackling large and complex challenges with mutual loyalty, shared wisdom and effort – from the Financial Turnaround Team to the Exco, the Executive Management, the Faculties, the Senate, support service divisions, the University Council and several committees and task teams”.

Frederick C.v.N. Fourie
Rector and Vice-Chancellor
University of the Free State

Prof Frederick Fourie has been with the UFS since 1976. After obtaining a PhD in Economics from Harvard he was appointed professor at the age of 29 in 1982, head of the Department of Economics in 1992, Distinguished Professor in 1998, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences in 1997, Vice-rector: Academic in 1999 and vice-chancellor in 2003.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
8 September 2008

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