On 1 April 2014 the high delegation from the United States of America were at Osindisweni Hospital to observe the progress of the Clinical Associates programme.

The Clinical Associates training programme is supported by the American International Health Alliance (AIHA) through the Twinning Center programme. This support is made possible by US Government President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding with support of the Twinning Center program, managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The program was launched by the National Department of Health in South Africa in 2008 to increase the number of mid-level medical professionals in the workforce. The Clinical Associates programme entails empowering students on how to perform clinical procedures, to assess and manage important emergency medical conditions encountered in the country’s hospital wards and casualties. During their training, the students spend most of their time in district hospitals under the supervision of medical practitioners. After completion they register with the Medical and Dental Board of the Health and Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The Clinical Associate’s scope of practice is defined by the context and requirements of district hospital with particular focus on emergency care, skilled procedures and in-patient care.

Osindisweni Hospital is one of the training sites for Clinical Associates. Presently there are three graduate Clinical Associates and five students who are mentored by the Clinical Manager, with the support of other doctors at the institution.

The visit included the following guests:

• The HOD and the delegation from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
• Delegation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): SA.
• Delegation from the two institutions that are training Clinical Associates, the University of Pretoria and Walter Sisulu University.
• Delegation from Professional Association of Clinical Associates in South Africa (PACASA)