Community-led monitoring and the role of Ritshidze in improving the quality of primary healthcare in South Africa

Community-led monitoring (CLM) of health services is a mechanism of community participation and accountability that is increasingly advocated across the globe. In South Africa (SA), a large-scale community-led monitoring initiative called Ritshidze (‘saving our lives’) was established in 2019....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: K Govender, N Rambau, P Barron, B Setshogelo, K Vallabhjee, M Nyathi, H Schneider, S Xaba, N Mpofu, A Yawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: South African Medical Association 2024-05-01
Series:South African Medical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/2043
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Community-led monitoring (CLM) of health services is a mechanism of community participation and accountability that is increasingly advocated across the globe. In South Africa (SA), a large-scale community-led monitoring initiative called Ritshidze (‘saving our lives’) was established in 2019. Steered by a coalition of civil society organisations representing people living with HIV, Ritshidze monitors just over 400 primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in 8 provinces on a quarterly basis. In this piece we describe the purposes and design features and the five-step approach to CLM of the Ritshidze model. We also highlight some of the positive changes achieved, and reflect on possible reasons for successes. In doing so, we aim to draw attention to this significant national initiative and its potential as a mechanism of social accountability in SA.
ISSN:0256-9574
2078-5135