health promotion at work to build a healthier nation1 health promoting schools initiative is alive...

Health Promotion at work to build a healthier nation

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Health Promoting

Schools Initiative is alive and well in Mpumalanga

Heila JoosteDeputy Director: Health Promotion

Mpumalanga Dept of Health & Social Services


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Mpumalanga Province

Nkangala

Ehlanzeni

Gert Sibande

3Districts:

Ehlanzeni

Gert Sibande

Nkangala


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Nkangala District

522 Primary Schools

170Secondary Schools

24Combined Schools

716


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Gert Sibande District

539 Primary Schools

89Secondary Schools

35Combined Schools

663


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Ehlanzeni District

568Primary Schools

216Secondary Schools

8Combined Schools

792


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Health Promoting Schools per District

27

40

39

Nkangala

Ehlanzeni

Gert Sibande

Total106

Total106


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Relationship Relationship with Department of

Education at Provincial level is nonexistent;

BUT….

At implementation level, where it is crucial, the collaboration is very good;


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MethodologyEvery School identified as a potential health promoting school is methodically guided, assessed and established utilising the WHO information document:

“Local Action Creating

Health Promoting Schools”


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Methodology cont…

These tools provides guidelines to:

Establish a school based committee; Establish an advisory committee; Identify and prioritise health and social

challenges; Assess current interventions;


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Methodology cont…

Determine impact of health policies; Find opportunities for action; Goal setting and identifying

objectives; Develop an operational plan; Develop a School Health Policy.


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Assessment The school applies on

an application form developed for this purpose

Assessment by a team co-ordinated by the HP Assistant Director at district level

Launch is organised and funded by the school


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Assessment

The application form is accompanied by:

Completed tools; Operational plans; School Health Policy for the school;


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Assessment cont…The assessment team evaluates: Operational plan and School Health Policy; Community involvement and outreach

projects; Stakeholder involvement; Child-to-child programme; Health messages displayed on the

classroom walls.


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Child-to-child


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The launch eventDuring the celebration a Health Promoting School Charter is signed by the Stakeholders and thereafter a Certificate is awarded to the school


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Assessment after launch Launched schools are regularly visited

and assessed at least one a year by the Health Promotion Co-ordinator at municipal level and the Assistant Director in the district;

An additional tool was developed for this purpose – focusing on sustainment and the areas in the application form.


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Opportunities Health Promoting Schools is a focus

area and appears as an indicator in the Department’s Strategic Plan;

Integration between Safe Communities concept the HPS initiative;

For the HPS initiative to be included in the Curriculum statement of the Department of Education;


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Opportunities cont… To forge better relationships with the

Department of Education at District and Provincial level by establishing a Provincial HPS Forum;


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Challenges

No national minimum requirements for a HPS;

Support from other PHC programmes (e.g. HIV and Aids, Nutrition, Mother and Child, etc.).


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Challenges cont…

To create a good balance between time and energy spent on sustaining launched schools and those in the process of being launched especially in view of the lack of resources in the province.


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Future plans

Evaluation by independent institution; Fast track implementation to reach

more schools in the province; Strengthening sustainment of launched

schools.

…


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This presentation is in memory of

John Mahlalela

1959 - 2006


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John Mahlalela launched the first health promoting school in Mpumalanga in August 1999 and many more followed. Because of his passion for HPS his schools became best practice sites and he inspired every health promotion practitioner in Mpumalanga. We all have very fond memories of John and he will always be remembered …


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Thank you for your attention!

health promotion at work to build a healthier nation1 health promoting schools initiative is alive...

Documents

healthier nation1 health

healthier nation6 health

potential health

school slide

impact of health policies

child slide

healthier nation15

good slide