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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

Top class musicians appointed for UFS Odeion String Quartet
2008-01-29

 
The three new members of the Odeion String Quartet are, from the left: Jeanne-Louise Moolman (alto violinist), Denise Sutton (leader and first violinist), and Sharon de Kock (second violinist).
Photo: Lacea Loader
 

Top class musicians appointed for UFS Odeion String Quartet

The University of the Free State (UFS) has recently appointed three top class musicians for the Odeion String Quartet. The quartet, which was formed in 1991, is the only resident quartet at a South African university.

The new persons who were appointed are: Denise Sutton, first violinist and leader of the string quartet, Jeanne-Louise Moolman, alto violinist, and Sharon de Kock, second violinist. The post of cellist was recently advertised and applications can be submitted at the UFS until 29 February 2008.

The new appointments follow after three former members of the quartet retired or left Bloemfontein at more or less the same time. Michael Haller, longtime cellist of the quartet, will also be retiring at the end of 2008.

These developments means that the Odeion String Quartet will literary be brand new. It also implies that opportunities exist for learners and students to be taught by excellent new lecturers. The new players will also strengthen the Free State Symphony Orchestra to a large extent.

“The Odeion String Quartet is a flagship of the UFS and it symbolises our commitment to the arts. It also plays an important strategic role in the development of symphony orchestra music and classical music training in the Free State. This is why a real attempt was made to obtain top class musicians. We are pleased that such a strong group could be appointed,” said Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS and chairperson of the String Quartet’s management committee.
Most string quartets abroad are affiliated with a higher education institution, which enables a higher level of playing as there is more time for preparation and to study the repertoire. “We appreciate the university’s confidence in us and for the opportunity to explore the intricacies of ensemble playing. We hope that we can produce inspiring performances for our audiences and students,” said Denis Sutton, new leader of the string quartet.

Denise Sutton studied at the University of Stellenbosch (US) and obtained the degree B.Mus. with distinction. After this, she studied in Amsterdam with Theo Olof and Nap de Klijn, as well as in London. She was leader and second violinist in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and did a successful audition for the English Chamber Orchestra. In South Africa she had a long career as concert master and leader of symphony orchestras. From 1980 she was concert master of the TRUK Orchestra for almost twenty years and from 2000 until 2005 she was member of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa (COSA). She was also a founding member and leader of the Rosamunde String Quartet, one of the leading string quartets in the country. Denise had a very successful parttime teaching practice at the University of Pretoria (UP) and at a number of schools. She was also involved in postgraduate training. Her students include various competition winners and a number of them are playing professionally.

Jeanne-Louise Moolman studied at the UP under Prof. Alan Solomon where she obtained the B.Mus and B.Mus.Hons. degrees with distinction. She won among others the ATKV Forté and the Oude Meesters competitions and in 1985 she was the first winner of the prestigious 75th Commemorative Prize of the University of Natal. She has about twenty years experience as head alto violinist of various professional orchestras in Gauteng. Until her appointment at the UFS she was leader of the alt violinists in the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and COSA. She is an experienced chamber musician who regularly performs in various combinations with some of South Africa’s leading musicians. This includes Gerard Korsten, Phillipe Graffin, Jürgen Schwietering, the pianists Lamar Crowson and Albie van Schalkwyk, as well as clarinet player Robert Pickup. Jeanne-Louise was also a founding member of the Rosamunde String Quartet. She lectured on a part time basis at the UP and the Pro Arte Music School.

Sharon de Kock obtained the degrees B.A. Mus. and M.Mus. at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) of the University of Cincinnati in the United States of America (USA) in 2002 and 2004 respectively. Some of her teachers include the well-known concert violinist Chee-Yun Kim, Prof. Kurt Sassmannshaus and Piotr Milewski, all alumni of Julliard. From 2004 to 2006 she was violinist lecturer at two universities and a music conservatorium in Puebla, Mexico. She was also violin lecturer at a music school in Costa Rica and was associated with the Hugo Lambrechts Centre in Cape Town since 2007. Her orchestra participation includes among others the Opera Orchestra in Trujillo, Peru, the Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica in Costa Rica, as well as the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. She also participated in the Luca Music Festival in Italy, the Grandin Music Festival in Portugal, the Pacific Music Festival in Japan and the Aspen Music Festival in the USA. Sharon performed regularly abroad as soloist and received various awards. This includes among others the CCM chamber music competition 2003 and the Baur Orchestral Competition and Heermann competition winner for violin at the CCM in 1995. In 1990 she won the first prize in the Sanlam competition.

The first official performance of the “new” Odeion String Quartet will be in May this year in Bloemfontein. Hopefully the new cellist will be appointed by this time. Members of the quartet will however perform on Friday, 1 February 2008 together with Albie van Schalkwyk and guest cellist Marian Lewin at 19:30 in the Odeion, as well as in the upcoming Spanish Music Festival held in February and March 2008. In May 2008 the quartet will participate in Zimbabwe in the Bulawayo Festival.

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
29 January 2008
 

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