Health Systems Trust - HST

12/11/2025

DataBridge360 ° E theha marokho.

👉 https://databridge360.hst.org.za/
👉 https://youtu.be/mMojQglYnWk?si=Zllb_4Wdxp-BYxCk

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10/11/2025

DataBridge360 ° Sakha amabriji.

👉 https://databridge360.hst.org.za/
👉 https://youtu.be/mMojQglYnWk?si=Zllb_4Wdxp-BYxCk

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04/11/2025

HST’s Satellite Session at CPHIA

At CPHIA we had a very insightful session titled “Cervical Cancer Elimination in South Africa and LMICs: A Multi-Sector Pathway to 2030.”

"Of all the cancers, cancer of the cervix is most easy to prevent," says Dr Neil Moran, Head of Department at KZN DoH.

Take a closer look at HST’s side event and discover how South Africa is driving progress toward the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets, with KZN DoH leading through a 94% HPV vaccination rate, HPV DNA testing, and decentralised treatment at district hospitals.

31/10/2025

WHAT ARE THE KEY CHALLENGES SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH DATA?

In the final paper of the mental health edition of the SAHR, Ndlovu and colleagues argue that in the context of mental health, the expansion of routine indicators, policy frameworks, and longitudinal cohort resources presents a significant opportunity for enhanced analysis and system insight.

However, significant gaps remain concerning community-level data capture, disaggregation by age, gender and geography, standardisation of indicators, and governance structures. These limitations hinder the full integration of mental health into national health surveillance systems.

Read the full paper here: https://sahr.hst.org.za/article/143759-health-and-related-indicators-a-mental-health-focus

Health Systems Trust - HST

30/10/2025

30/10/2025

LESSONS LEARNT FROM INTEGRATING MENTAL HEALTH INTO SPORT-BASED ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMMES IN SOUTH AFRICA

In their paper published in the mental health edition of the SAHR, Lee and colleagues argue that integrating basic mental health promotion content into existing sport- based adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programmes delivered by trained, near-peer mentors is a promising strategy to address the adolescent mental health crisis.

Early results are encouraging: co-design revealed key mental health challenges, while monitoring data showed improved knowledge in both mental health and SRHR. Facilitators emphasised the need for referral pathways and support systems for their own well-being. Other lessons include the importance of co-creation and better tools for measuring mental health outcomes.

Read the full paper here: https://sahr.hst.org.za/article/141588-lessons-learnt-from-integrating-mental-health-into-sport-based-adolescent-sexual-and-reproductive-health-programmes-in-south-africa

Health Systems Trust - HST

30/10/2025

THE NEED TO INTEGRATE MENTAL HEALTH INTO EXISTING PROGRAMMES IS A KEY FINDING IN THE LATEST SAHR.

In their paper ‘An approach to mental health integration: practices and lessons from a DREAMS programme in South Africa’, Hartnack et al. demonstrate how mental health screening can be integrated into existing HIV prevention efforts targeting high risk populations such as adolescent girls and young women in community settings like schools.

Using a customised electronic screening tool, the team developed comprehensive mental health risk profiles, enabling timely referrals to appropriate support services.

The authors advocate for the adoption of a similar model for mental health screening, referral and treatment within the Primary Health Care system. This could have major systemic benefits.

Read more here: https://sahr.hst.org.za/article/141586-an-approach-to-mental-health-integration-practices-and-lessons-from-a-dreams-programme-in-south-africa

29/10/2025

29/10/2025

HOW DO WE PRIORITISE ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA?

In the 12th paper of the latest SAHR, De Jong and colleagues explore why adolescent mental health remains under-prioritised despite growing need. Based on interviews with policy actors and youth advocates, they identify fragmented leadership, poor cross-sector co-ordination, and insufficient youth engagement. Yet, the post-COVID-19 context and NHI rollout offer renewed momentum.

“Purposeful efforts are needed to unite the adolescent mental health community and co-ordinate research, advocacy, policy and implementation activities to enhance and protect the mental health of young South Africans” state the authors.

Read the complete article here:https://sahr.hst.org.za/article/142345-give-them-a-reason-to-live-exploring-the-prioritisation-of-adolescent-and-youth-mental-health-policy-in-south-africa

29/10/2025

"Evidence, innovations, and frameworks exist—but implementation, financing, equity, leadership, and community-centred action are now key. Mental health must be reframed from an “add-on” to a core component of health, wellbeing, and development."

Editor-in-Chief, Ashnie Padarath highlighting key findings at the official launch of the South African Health Review: Strengthening Mental Health Care, 28 Oct 2025, Johannesburg.

Find a full summary of the key findings and recommendations here: https://youtu.be/eXEOoxrF1Sk