Publications
HST provides free electronic access to over 500 health systems research related reports, publications and papers. Close to 300 of these are publications that have been commissioned and funded by the Trust. Topics include among others district systems development, drug supply management, human resource development, informatics, legislation, finance, environmental health, mental health, lessons learnt, nutrition and sexually transmitted diseases / HIV/AIDS. The main publication of the HST is the annual South African Health Review. From 2005 all HST publications will be available in low resolution only. To explore the range of publications HST offers use the Advanced search to search using a variety of criteria.

The Research Policy specifically stipulates that PHRCs should:

• Co-ordinate health research by liaising with all individuals and institutions conducting research within the province
• Manage the process of priority setting and assist in the development of health research priorities for the province
• Review preliminary and final research reports and give advice on policy implications of completed research projects.

In addition to the three abovementioned key objectives, the Directorate: Health Systems Research, Research Co-ordination and Epidemiology further drew up the Terms of Reference for the PHRCs, and outlined their main functions. It should be noted however that the Terms of Reference were drawn up as a general guideline, and therefore provinces are allowed to also draw up their own Terms of References, thereby giving them space to accommodate local experiences and aspirations.

In essence, both the National Health Research Policy and the Terms of Reference provide guidelines for the creation of Provincial Health Research Committees from the implementation perspective of the policy circle. This report will specifically look at and try to unpack the dynamics involved in the implementation of the National Policy regarding the creation of the Provincial Committees.