Abstract
We describe the role and experience of the Centre for Health Policy (CHP), a university-based research unit established in 1987, in influencing and supporting health systems transformation in South Africa over two decades. During 2010, we analyzed relevant documents and conducted interviews with 25 key informants. CHP's research has contributed directly to health policy development and implementation while also changing the way government understood or approached policy issues. Key success factors for policy influence are: research quality and trustworthiness, strategic alliances and networking, and capacity building. CHP's challenges include identifying new funding sources and sustaining a high public profile. The lessons for other countries are to: conduct good quality, relevant research based on strong ethical values; build and maintain open and honest relationships with government; recognize and adapt to changes in the policy environment; develop capacity as part of a continuous programme; and seek core funding that ensures research independence and public accountability.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Sue Armstrong for conducting the majority of the key informant interviews. Duane Blaauw, Phyllis Freeman, Lucy Gilson, Ashnie Padarath, Helen Schneider, Dingie van Rensburg, and Gill Walt made useful comments on earlier drafts of the article.
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The authors describe the role and experience of the Centre for Health Policy in influencing and supporting health systems transformation both during the transition to democracy and in a democratic South Africa.
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Rispel, L., Doherty, J. Research in support of health systems transformation in South Africa: The experience of the Centre for Health Policy. J Public Health Pol 32 (Suppl 1), S10–S29 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.33
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.33