Health
Regarding the Department’s plan to house the proposed Violence Prevention Unit:
(a) At what stage is the planning or implementation of the Unit, (b) how many people does her Department plan to employ to capacitate the Unit, (c) how much is it expected to cost in order for it to function effectively and (d) which other stakeholders, in addition to the area-based teams, would be brought in to implement the Unit’s programmes?
(a) This has yet to be finalised, but it is being considered that the unit should straddle the Strategic Cluster and Emergency and Clinical Support Services within the Department of Health.
(b) This is still to be finalised based on the allocated budget, but we have planned for 8-10 dedicated staff.
(c) R10 million rand has been allocated, for this financial year.
(d) These are cross sectional teams responsible for reducing violence in a geographic area. The VPU will utilize data and evidence, develop policy, and work with relevant stakeholders at the local geographic level to implement measures to reduce violence. Implementation can occur at different geographic levels, with different time horizons and through different Departments. It is critical to note that this will not only involve the Department of Health. As a start, this will be a collaborative effort with all of government.
