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UFS launches two public health programmes

31 October 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons

What started seven years ago as a dream, came to fruition in October 2024, when the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) officially launched two new programmes, the Master of Public Health and PhD Public Health in the Division of Public Health (DPH).

In his welcome address, Prof Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said it is a significant milestone launching these particularly important programmes in the faculty. The launch took place on 24 October 2024 at the James Moroka Building on the Bloemfontein Campus. These programmes are dedicated to recognising and responding to complex national and global public health challenges through high-quality research, teaching and learning, and engaged scholarship.

Prof Bonang Mohale, UFS Chancellor, and Dr BE Mzangwa, Acting Deputy Director General of the Free State Department of Health and CEO of the Universitas Academic Hospital, were also in attendance, while Mr Ramphelane Morewane, Deputy Director General of HIV/AIDS, TB, Maternal and Child Health, in the National Department of Health, delivered a congratulatory message virtually.

Said Prof Van Zyl: “The vision of the public health dream in the faculty started with a small group of us having a discussion on taking public health forward. At that first meeting we already agreed on an action plan. We knew then if we kept true to this dream, we would have success, but this success would not be for us. It would be for the influence of the lives of many postgraduate students that will enrol in the programmes in this division and uplift themselves by getting a quality and relevant qualification. Ready to serve the bigger community.

“For those who are part of the vision of the public health dream, remember the dream and vision, continue with the collaborative efforts and spirit, remain committed to the dream and do everything that is needed to allow it to excel, and never forget the core values we embraced at the beginning when we started this dream,” said Prof Van Zyl.

Addressing public health challenges

Prof Anthea Rhoda, Acting UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said in a video message that the launch marks a significant milestone symbolising the beginning of an academic endeavour aligned with Vision 130, which emphasises academic excellence, quality and impact.

“Today’s launch represents a crucial step in the Faculty of Health Sciences’ commitment to address public health challenges within our communities, nationally, as well as globally. It also represents a crucial step in the University of the Free State’s dedication to tackling public health challenges that are prevalent in our communities.

“The Division of Public Health aspires to be engaging, diversifying public health through innovative, global responsive research. Public health, as is common knowledge, is the study and practice of safeguarding and improving the well-being of individuals and community. It includes the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the prevention of diseases and efforts to control infectious illnesses,” said Prof Rhoda.

She said it should be remembered that public health encompasses more than a simple field of study, it’s a commitment to service, and a promise to make a positive impact in the world. She is confident that this new programme will contribute significantly to the academic prestige of the UFS and will be a source of innovative solutions to the complex health challenges of the times.

Programmes in high demand

According to Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni, Vice-Dean: Research, Transformation, and Marketing and Head of the DPH, they only enrolled the first cohort of students in the second semester of 2023.

“During that time, we enrolled six Master of Public Health students and 14 PhDs. This year we enrolled 26 students, 13 in each programme. Currently we have 46 students. 19 Masters’ of Public Health and 27 PhD students, of which 90% are black female students. We also have international students from Lesotho, Namibia and Kenya. The quality of our students is very high. They are already working in health-related institutions and most of them are in leadership positions.

“For the coming year, 2025, we have already received 224 applications for the Master of Public Health programme and 30 for the PhD. We can only accommodate 30. Our programmes are already in high demand nationally and on the continent. They address a range of public health topics of national and international importance,” said the Vice-Dean.

Prof Tsoka-Gwegweni said because of the quality of staff and the quality and relevance of the programmes, their multidisciplinary nature, sustainability, and responsiveness to local, national and global public health challenges, these programmes are contributing to the UFS vision of achieving academic excellence, quality and impact; maximum societal impact with sustainable relationships; and of achieving a diverse, inclusive equitable university.

Health and prevention are primary

Prof Geoffrey Setswe, the Managing Director of the Aurum Research Institute, delivered the keynote address, saying public health, unlike medicine and nursing is not about treating individual patients, but focuses on the maintenance of promotion of health at a population level. Health and prevention are primary. He also talked about the public health pathways and career options in this field.

The best-known elements of public health, he said, are health promotion, environmental health, surveillance, communicable disease prevention, communication, health equity, emergency preparedness, harm reduction and home visiting programmes.

“The South African public health system is rebuilding itself and working to enhance health and well-being by implementing the NHI that will enable access to high quality, people-centred and integrated health care for all South Africans. Public health training must have multisectoral applications for public health careers, specialisation and advanced education providing life experiences and related expertise for people with diverse origins and ethical motivations,” he said.

According to Prof Setswe, this model will help in the training of public health professionals to deal with the quadruple burden of communicable diseases (HIV, TB, sepsis), non-communicable diseases (cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), injuries from crime and violence (including GBV), and mental health (including depression, para-suicide, risk behaviour, harmful substance abuse) and maternal and child health.

Click to view document Click and watch the official launch below:

Prof Bonang Mohale, UFS Chancellor, also attended the launched the new Division of Public Health programmes.

Prof Geoffrey Setswe, the managing director of the Aurum Research Institute delivered the keynote address.

Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni, Vice-Dean: Research, Transformation, and Marketing and Head of the DPH, gave a short history of the DPH.

News Archive

Higher than expected prevalence of dementia in South African urban black population

2010-09-22

Prof. Malan Heyns and Mr Rikus van der Poel

Pilot research done by University of the Free State (UFS) indicates that the prevalence of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is only one of the causes, is considerably higher than initially estimated. Clinical tests are now underway to confirm these preliminary findings.

To date it has been incorrectly assumed that dementia is less prevalent among urban black communities. This assumption is strongly disputed by the findings of the current study, which indicates a preliminary prevalence rate of approximately 6% for adults aged 65 years and older in this population group. Previous estimates for Southern Africa have been set at around 2,1%.

The research by the Unit for Professional Training and Services in the Behavioural Sciences (UNIBS) at the UFS and Alzheimer’s South Africa is part of the International 10/66 Dementia Research Group’s (10/66 DRG) initiative to establish the prevalence of dementia worldwide.

Mr Rikus van der Poel, coordinator of the local study, and Prof. Malan Heyns, Principal Investigator, say worldwide 66% of people with dementia live in low and middle income countries. It is expected that it will rise to more than 70% by 2040, and the socio-economic impact of dementia will increase accordingly within this period. 21 September marks World Alzheimer’s Day, and this year the focus is on the global economic impact of dementia. Currently, the world wide cost of dementia exceeds 1% of the total global GDP. If the global cost associated with dementia care was a company, it would be larger than Exxon-Mobil or Wal-Mart.

The researchers also say that of great concern is the fact that South Africa’s public healthcare system is essentially geared toward addressing primary healthcare needs, such as HIV/Aids and tuberculosis. The adult prevalence rate of HIV was 18,1% in 2007. According to UNAIDS figures more than 5,7 million people in South Africa are living with HIV/Aids, with an estimated annual mortality of 300 000. In many instances the deceased are young parents, with the result that the burden of childcare falls back on the elderly, and in many cases elderly grandparents suffering from dementia are left without children to take care of them. “These are but a few reasons that highlight the need for advocacy and awareness regarding dementia and care giving in a growing and increasingly urbanized population,” they say.

Low and middle income countries often lack epidemiological data to provide representative estimates of the regional prevalence of dementia. In general, epidemiological studies are challenging and expensive, especially in multi-cultural environments where the application of research protocols relies heavily on accurate language translations and successfully negotiated community access. Despite these challenges, the local researchers are keen to support advocacy and have joined the international effort to establish the prevalence of dementia through the 10/66 DRG.

The 10/66 DRG is a collective of researchers carrying out population-based research into dementia, non-communicable diseases and ageing in low and middle income countries. 10/66 refers to the two-thirds (66%) of people with dementia living in low and middle income countries, and the 10% or less of population-based research that has been carried out in those regions.

Since its inception in 1998, the 10/66 DRG has conducted population based surveys in 14 catchment areas in ten low and middle income countries, with a specific focus on the prevalence and impact of dementia. South Africa is one of seven LAMICs (low and medium income countries) where new studies have been conducted recently, the others being Puerto Rico, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, China and India.

Mr Van der Poel says participating researchers endeavour to conduct cross-sectional, comprehensive, one-phase surveys of all residents aged 65 and older within a geographically defined area. All centres share the same core minimum dataset with cross-culturally validated assessments (dementia diagnosis and subtypes, mental disorders, physical health, anthropometry, demographics, extensive non-communicable risk factor questionnaires, disability/functioning, health service utilization and caregiver strain).

The local pilot study, funded by Alzheimer’s South Africa, was rolled out through an existing community partnership, the Mangaung University of the Free State Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP).

According to Mr Van der Poel and Prof. Heyns, valuable insights have been gained into the myriad factors at play in establishing an epidemiological research project. The local community has responded positively and the pilot phase in and of itself has managed to promote awareness of the condition. The study has also managed to identify traditional and culture-specific views of dementia and dementia care. In addition, existing community-based networks are being strengthened, since part of the protocol will include the training and development of family caregivers within the local community in Mangaung.

“Like most developing economies, the South African population will experience continued urbanization during the next two decades, along with increased life expectancy. Community-based and residential care facilities for dementia are few and far between and government spending will in all probability continue to address the high demands associated with primary healthcare needs. These are only some of the reasons why epidemiological and related research is an important tool for assisting lobbyists, advocates and policymakers in promoting better care for those affected by dementia.”

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za
21 September 2010

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