Health Forums 

Strong Communities, Healthier Futures – Powered by People, Driven by Justice

Health forums are civil society structures made up of health activists, sometimes clinic committee members and community health workers. They often referred to as informal clinic committees outside the clinic. They address issues within the clinic, the social determinants of health and advocate for people-centred policies.

The pervasive inequality that runs through all facets of South Africa’s social, political and economic landscape is particularly pronounced in the health sector. PHM supports the formation of local health forums and accompanies the development of community-based structures for health activists working on direct measures to improve local health services. For the past 6 years, PHM has been supporting the establishment of health forums across the country following the model of the already 20 year existing health forum in Gugulethu, Cape Town.

This is done with a strong focus on existing local resources, which are strengthened through strategic support. These same health forums and activists also have a positive impact on the broader social determinants of health through education and advocacy at different levels of society. It represents a proven, trusted and effective approach at the community level that (as it grows) extends beyond the local level and impacts the policy level, both provincially and nationally. The methodology and approach can be built on for future projects.

Health forum Gugulethu Training Videos

Health forums start by bringing health activists together in areas where PHM had a presence and going through a 2 day situational analysis followed by a 4 day training on the Right to health, Comprehensive Primary Health Care, networking, conflict resolution and much more.

Access below the PDF version of the Situational Analysis Manual and the Health Forum Training Manual, also referred to as the “bible of the Health forums”.

Each health forum developed their own vision and action plan. In the course of 6 years many local activities took place enabling a better environment for health:

• Providing a place for learning, empowerment and self-development among members who in turn become capacitated and enabled to support others in the community; furthering education of members through training and access to studies; fostering leadership skills and confidence
• Direct health support to community members – advising on taking meditation regularly, intervening in emergency situations, caring for elderly, creating access and safety for youth in distress, resolving conflict constructively, education what fosters resilience and builds immunity, etc
• Monitoring of local health services at clinics, engaging authorities on community needs as well as more efficient and effective use of existing resources, supporting with necessary attitudinal shifts in clinic staff
• Gathering people to learn about their health (and health impacting other) concerns, creating info hubs and gathering spaces for relevant debates, for example on indigenous knowledge and access to mainstream and alternative modes of care
• Sharing information on health-related issues, for instance on a wide range of conditions, on preventative measures, on issues like stigma and (HIV, mental health, etc) and broader social determinants that deter or foster wellbeing (policies around alcohol, tobacco, age limits, youth, etc.), building analytical skills among members and for recipients
• Hosting enabling conversations and networking around livelihood, food security and improvement of economic factors related to health, building capacity in this regard for self-empowerment
• Building relationships with authorities and effective advocacy work on health issues; forming a bridge between community level, health authorities and also universities and research activities aimed at improving health

Health forums make a difference at different levels, particularly in the lives of health forum members, community health activists and in the communities themselves, especially in terms of increased awareness of healthcare, healing, prevention and wellbeing, and through improved services in local clinics.

To find out more about each health forum, Select here:

Gugulethu Health Forum
KSD Health Forum
Manenberg Health Forum
Phokwane Health Forum
Motheo Advancing Health Movement/ Forum
Latest Health Forum News

Gugulethu Health Forum (GHF)

We are a community based organisation that promote health awareness and create a supportive community where individuals can share their experiences. We facilitate connections between individuals ,health care professionals & organisations . We are active in Gugulethu and it’s surroundings

⁠We are 26 members 22 that are consistent fully active  coming from different organisation such as MCSJ, ETAFENI HCW, Child protection unit, Health&Safety crime prevention, Sanco, Ward committees, Umphakathi, Women circle, Gugs GBV ambassadors and clinic committee members.

Issues Addressed/Role of the Health Forum

• We do community intervention to improve the quality of life, health and well-being of all community members by empowering them to have a say in the decision making process and all other aspects of the development of health services in all areas in Western Cape.
• We aim to address the social economic or environmental issues affecting the community
• To take part in the activity of Western Cape metro health forum and make contributions regarding health needs.
• ⁠To make sure that the community live in a healthy environment and give guidance to the community to identify and prioritize their need & present them to the relevant authorities for action.
• We provide health talks, advocacy, and support services to community members

Vision for the Community and Clinic

• We strive to foster a collaborative care environment where health care provides work together with community, organisations & stakeholders to promote health and Wellness
• We envision a community with better health care services where residents have access to quality health care and support.

# BETTER HEALTH CARE  FOR ALL!!!

KSD Health forum

The KSD health forum is based in Mthatha, with 22 members, 18 Active members

The issues we address

• Advocate for addressing social determinants of health, ensuring that the community’s voice is heard.
• Forum act as a bridge between the clinic and the community.
• Engaging with stakeholders and organisations: making sure they delivery the services to the community more especially on health issues
• ⁠Building a good relationship between Clinics and Community
• ⁠Focusing on the High rate of pregnancy, Defaulters
• Keeping our community safe and Clean

Our Vision

•⁠  ⁠To improve health status through the prevention of illnesses and the promotion of healthy lifestyles and to consistently improve the healthcare delivery system by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.

•⁠  ⁠To ensure that our communities get the best health care in terms of their needs and be treated with dignity and respect

Manenberg Health Forum

Health Forum Manneberg is based in Mannenberg, Cape Town and has currently 20 active members

OUR VISION

Access to Universal Health Care for ALL.

OUR MISSION

To ensure that our communities get the best health care in terms of their needs and be treated with dignity and respect.

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION

The Forum impacts health through:

• Improving health services in the community
• Addressing the Social Determinants of health
• Influencing health policies at a provincial and national level

The Forum is a platform to bring together community stakeholder to:

• Respond to health related matters in health facilities and in the community
• Advance health leadership
• Assist with health education and promotion

Our  Workshops include

• NHI awareness workshops within the community
• Cancer Awareness workshops
• Facilitation Skills
• Alcohol Awareness, Tobacco Bill advocacy (we make Submissions raising our concerns with the bills )
• We learn how to do Proposal Writing
• Together witgh UCT we raise advocate for better Palliative Care (UCT)
• We did a lot of work on Covid 19 Information sharing
• We raise awareness on Non – Communicable Disease (NCD’S)

Our Events include

• GBV awareness events, working with youth
• Raising awareness on Mental Health
• Cancer Awareness and screening events
• Youth Programmes to raise their confidence, het them into school and of the streets
• Each year we do Woman’s Day Event
• HIV/AIDS  awareness events
• Older Person’s Dialogue
• Teenage Pregnancy awareness, dialogues and events with youth as this is a big issue
• Child Health  and Maternal Health awareness

 Phokwane Health Forum

Phokwane Health forum is currently based in the Northern cape, Phokwane municipalities, in Hartswater. The forum comprises of different stakeholders who seeks to bring change in the community.

These stakeholders include SAPS,DSD, DOH (community Health care workers), DOE, local NGOs , People living with disability, Phokwane municipality (environmental health inspectors) and the LQBTQIA+ community. To date we are 18 members who are actively involved in bringing change in the community.

The role of our Health forum

• The forum seeks to address social determinants of Health and to advocate for the community.
• Phokwane Health forum promotes Healthy living in societies and advocate for equal human rights for all, irrespective of race ,gender ethnicity and social background.
• We strive to hold departments accountable.

Our aim and objective is to empower the communities with the relevant information so that we can reach our vision of an informed and cared society.

We are currently doing Health outreach and awareness programs in the community. We believe that education and prevention is better than cure.

As we come across cases we advocate for the community at the service point.

We also attend to community and stakeholders programs, community engagements as well as community dialogues in order to raise concerns and be the voice of the voiceless.

Phokwane Health forum promotes active participation of the clinic committee and the hospital board in order to ensure that community challenges are addressed and services are rendered accordingly.

# PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

 Motheo Advancing Health Movement / Forum

Our forum represents a community-based organization focused on promoting health and well-being in underserved areas of Mangaung. We are based in Botshabelo Free State

Issues Addressed/Role of the Health Forum

• Health Focus: Our forum addresses maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS,  tuberculosis, patient rights ,and clinic monitoring
• Community Engagement: We provide health talks, advocacy, and support services to community members, 

Our goal is to improve health outcomes in our community by increasing access to healthcare services, promoting healthy behaviours,  supporting community-based initiatives and hold the Department accountable

We also engage and take part in policy making eg (NHI)

Vision for the Community and Clinic

We envision a community where everyone has access to quality healthcare, and health outcomes are significantly improved. By working together with the clinic and other stakeholders, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of community members

OUR MOTTO IS EQUITABLE HEALTH FOR ALL

Latest Health Forum News