Operational plan for comprehensive HIV and AIDS care and ...

32 Nutritional support is an element of this comprehensive care and treatment
programme.
33 It is envisaged that extensive information, education and communications
programmes to help educate patients, families and communities about prevention
and proper care and treatment for all HIV-positive South Africans will also support
the programme.
Strengthening the National Health System
34 The plan provides significant investments to strengthen the national health care
system overall.
35 It is the intention that through this programme, new health professionals will be
added to the national health system. The addition of these human resources will
strengthen the health system as a whole, by increasing its capacity to treat all
patients, including those with HIV infection and AIDS-defining illnesses.
36 The programme will also pay significant attention to upgrading the skills base and
competencies of health care workers within the public health system.
37 This programme will include improvements to physical infrastructure in line with
current capital programmes.
38 Improved access to laboratory services and significant investments in expanding
the capabilities and turnaround times of the National Health Laboratory Service are
a necessary part of the programme.
39 Investments in order to upgrade the national drug distribution system as well as the
patient and health information systems at all levels of the health care system are
also contemplated.
Executive Summary 29