Swingler, GeorgeHendricks, MichaelHall, DavidHall, SusanSanders, DavidMcKerrow, NeilSaloojee, HaroonReid, Steve2016-10-052016-10-052012Swingler, G. et al. (2012). Can a new paediatric sub-specialty improve child health in South Africa? South African Medical Journal, 102(9): 738-7392078-5135http://hdl.handle.net/10566/2438Compared with other middle-income countries, child health in South Africa is in a poor state, and should be addressed by focusing on the healthcare needs of all children across a system or region. Paediatricians have had little effect on this situation, partly because their training is not aligned with South African needs. The proposed re-engineering of primary healthcare will be limited by the skewed distribution of staff and the lack of suitable skills. A 'community' placement during specialist training, and the creation of a sub-specialty in Community Paediatrics and Child Health, could address the skills shortage and possibly attract health personnel to under-served areas through creating an appropriate career path. This proposal would also support the Department of Health's encouraging plans to re-engineer primary healthcare.enThe South African Journal Medical Journal is an Open Access Journal and provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.HealthcareSouth AfricaChild healthCommunity Paediatrics and Child HealthPaediatricsArticle