Rural district hospitals – essential cogs in the district health system – and primary healthcare re-engineering

Abstract

To the Editor : The article by Le Roux et al. raises the question why it is so difficult to re-engineer primary healthcare (PHC) and why the results so far have been disappointing. They highlight the critical role of the district hospital as the hub from which all activities in the rural districts should be co-ordinated. Le Roux et al. write from their own experience at rural hospitals. We agree that there are many examples of well-run public district hospitals with excellent reputations, which have contributed towards improved patient care together with improved health status of the community. Hospitals that have built up reputations as providers of excellent rural healthcare services in the past decades are Elim, Donald Fraser, Gelukspan, Manguzi, Bethesda, Mosveld, Mseleni, Rietvlei, Zithulele, and many more.