These guidelines form part of efforts to institutionalize the prevention and containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in health care facilities in South Africa, as outlined in the Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan. The focus of these guidelines is on two interrelated aspects of prevention of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and their spread; and the application of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices at hospital level.

These guidelines are applicable to all essential services workers covered by regulation GN R.398 of Government Gazette 43148 under section 3 of the Disaster Management Act, 1957 (Act 57 of 2002) as amended on 25 March 2020 wherein essential services are defined in Annexure B (see Addendum 1). The aim of this guideline is to enable: Early and timeous identification and diagnosis of workers at risk of COVID-19 infection   Early referral for appropriate treatment, care and timeous return to work of affected workers The protection of other unaffected workers, consumers, visitors and clients

These guidelines provide guidance on the management of persons requiring quarantine or isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the identification, setup, maintenance, management and quality assurance of quarantine and isolation facilities. As knowledge regarding strategies to address COVID-19 develops globally and in south Africa, these guidelines will be updated based on merging evidence, WHO recommendations, and operational experience.

These guidelines have been prepared by the Sub directorate: Maternal Health for the guidance of health workers (doctors and midwives) providing obstetric, surgical and anaesthetic services for pregnant women in district clinics, health centres and district hospitals. These guidelines are intended for use in clinics, community health centres and district hospitals where specialist services are not normally available. The guidelines deal mainly with the diagnosis and especially the management of common and serious pregnancy problems.

In the light of the transmissibility of coronaviruses, and the global experience with MERS-CoV (ongoing) and SARS in 2003 which were also caused by coronaviruses, South African authorities have compiled this guideline document to support surveillance, case finding, diagnosis, management and public health responses to cases under investigation. *Please note* The interim guidelines are based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This is a guideline to assist sub-district/district offices to develop their own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage patient safety incident reporting and learning that is in line with the National Guideline for Patient Safety Incident Reporting and Learning in the Health Sector of South Africa. Sub-district/district offices can use this document as a guideline to develop their own sub district/district specific SOP by amending or choosing from the options (highlighted in red) in the sections as indicated in the guideline. 

This is a guideline to assist sub-district/districts to develop their own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage complaints, compliments and suggestions that is in line with the National Guideline to Manage Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions in the Public Health Sector of South Africa. Sub districts/districts can use this document as a guideline to develop their own district specific SOP by amending or choosing from the options (highlighted in red) in the sections as indicated in the guideline.

This is a guideline to assist hospitals to develop their own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage complaints, compliments and suggestions that is in line with the National Guideline to Manage Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions in the Public Health Sector of South Africa. Hospitals can use this document as a guideline to develop their own facility specific SOP by amending or choosing from the options in the sections as indicated in the guideline. 

This is a guideline to assist hospitals to develop their own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage patient safety incident reporting and learning that is in line with the National Guideline for Patient Safety Incident Reporting and Learning in the Health Sector of South Africa. Hospitals can use this document as a guideline to develop their own hospital specific SOP by amending or choosing from the options (highlighted in red) in the sections as indicated in the guideline.

The challenge that PMTCT is currently facing is an increasing number of babies who acquire HIV infection during the postnatal period. To address this challenge, the guidelines provide guidance on the following: Strengthening antenatal and postnatal care for both HIV negative and positive mothers,the introduction of a dolutegravir-based ART regimen which is more efficacious in reducing the risks of transmission of HIV and promoting integrated management of the mother-baby pair by aligning PMTCT interventions with BANC visits during antenatal period and EPI visits during postnatal period.