Welile Shasha Doctor of Medicine

Описание: Welile Shasha: Awarded Doctor of Medicine (honoris causa)

Accomplished medical scientist and internationally recognised public health specialist, Dr Welile Shasha, has earned distinction through his role in facilitating and promoting health initiatives which have improved the lives of poor and rural communities, both in South Africa and on the African continent. While working for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department of International Development (DFID), he played a pivotal role in the implementation of health systems reforms nationally and internationally.

He is currently the manager of health system reform at the Letsema Circle Trust, an NGO based in East London which seeks avenues to help communities strengthen the health system by working with local government departments. In this capacity, Dr Shasha instituted a system which saw the introduction of follow-up by community health worker-based primary healthcare teams at household level, providing an evidence base for the implementation of the health system modeled on the re-engineering of primary health care, as set out in the 10-point strategic plan of the National Department of Health.

The organisation has successfully quantified the quadruple disease burden -- TB/HIV, diabetes/hypertension, injuries/accidents and maternal/child health challenges -- in four pilot sites. The process will assist outreach teams to be more effective in their follow-up of disease at household levels.

As a consultant to the national Department of Health, Dr Shasha played a leading role in the re-engineering of primary health care and took a leadership role in the containment of cholera in Limpopo -- one of three cholera control initiatives in which he was involved. He has participated in the optimisation of the National Programme of HIV/AIDS treatment centres in the nine provinces of South Africa.

Further afield, Dr Sasha conducted a programme evaluation to consolidate and synchronise health research in Kenya and served as a leading facilitator for a Public Health course for students from the United States, Botswana and South Africa, sponsored by the WK Kellogg Foundation.

Dr Sasha facilitated the establishment of the Ilimalethu Development Association, a national non-governmental organisation aimed at sustainable rural social development focusing on orphans and vulnerable children. He also served as the first and last South African to represent the World Health Organisation in the country as liaison officer for a period of nine years during the challenging period of AIDS denialism. As a public health consultant he was involved in carrying out a process evaluation of the National Programme of HIV/AIDS treatment centres in South Africa. The final report is currently in use to control the epidemic.

Dr Shasha's has authored or co-authored articles in a variety of respected health journals and has had four books published featuring his isiXhosa poetry.

For his invaluable contributions to policy formulation and prevention health strategies, his scientific leadership and his humanitarian commitment to improving the quality of lives of ordinary people, the University of KwaZulu-Natal honours Dr Shasha with its highest award, the Degree of Doctorate of Medicine honoris causa.


University of KwaZulu-Natal
http://www.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage

UKZN Facebook page
  / ukzn1  

UKZN Twitter
  / ukzn  

UKZN Online Newsletter
http://www.ukzn.ac.za/media-publicati...