Annual Report 2015 - 2016

South Africa remains in the grip of the quadruple burden of disease as we call them, namely: (a) HIV and AIDS and TB; (b) High levels of Maternal and Child Mortality; (c)
Non-Communicable diseases; and (d) Injuries and trauma. Over the last 7-8 years a lot of progress has been made with regard to reducing the high levels of mortality from HIV and AIDS and related complications and co-morbidities.
The roll out of Antiretroval Treatment has seen our country recording major improvements in health indicators such as life expectancy, infant and child mortality and maternal mortality.
Out of the four components of the quadruple burden of disease the two components which remain stubbornly high are the Non-Communicable diseases and injuries and trauma. The rising levels of noncommunicable diseases is not a uniquely South African experience. Health scientists predict that diseases of lifestyle will cause 7 out 10 deaths in developing countries by 2020. As it has been emphasised many times before, most of the NCDs can be prevented or their morbidity and mortality reduced by a change of lifestyle.

This Report reflects some of the key policy interventions and demonstrates our commitment to a public health sector that is pro-active, forward looking, focuses on prevention, and accountable to the people of South Africa. We hope you find the Report informative and, most importantly, useful. Producing this report involved the commitment of a diverse group of individuals, each of whom contributed their time and advice to ensure that the final product was representative of public health from a national perspective.