National Diploma in Public Health Management
This course develops your ability to understand public-health risks and support organised, evidence-based services for communities.
About the course
This course develops your ability to understand public-health risks and support organised, evidence-based services for communities. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Describe determinants of health and the role of prevention.
Use health information to identify priorities and service needs.
Plan a public-health response with clear responsibilities and evaluation measures.
Requirements
Prepare evidence of relevant certificate study or comparable prior learning for the provider's admission review. Refresh the subject knowledge, calculations and practical skills needed for diploma work. Plan access to the supervised workplace, laboratory or project resources required by the course.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 16 subjects
1Specialist subjects11 subjects
2Foundations and shared practice3 subjects
3Practical integration2 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
16 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Health Policy. Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
- Principles Of Management. Explore the coordination of people, resources and decisions to deliver a defined service. Practice centres on an operational plan and service-improvement report, drawing on organisational purpose and responsibilities and work planning and resource allocation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check feasibility, accountability and evidence of service performance.
- Health Sector Estate Management. Explore the use of property information to support responsible ownership and service decisions. Practice centres on a property inspection and management case report, drawing on property types, interests and responsibilities and inspection and property records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check evidence relevance, stated property interests and defensible assumptions.
- Epidemiology. Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
- Health Sector Monitoring And Evaluation. Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
- Logistics And Transport Management. Explore the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Health Sector Procurement And Supply. Explore the acquisition of goods and services through clear requirements and accountable decisions. Practice centres on a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase, drawing on needs analysis and specifications and supplier information and sourcing options. You will record findings, justify decisions and check fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
- Health Economics. Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
- Financial Accounting And Reporting 1. Explore the recording of transactions and preparation of financial information. Practice centres on an accounting file from source documents to financial statements, drawing on source documents and the accounting equation and double-entry records and journals. You will record findings, justify decisions and check completeness, classification, arithmetic and reconciliation.
- Business Research Methods. Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
- Health Law. Explore the interpretation of legal principles and procedures within a defined jurisdiction. Practice centres on a source-based case note and procedural document, drawing on sources and hierarchy of legal authority and institutional roles and legal terminology. You will record findings, justify decisions and check jurisdiction, currency of authority and the distinction between analysis and advice.
Foundations and shared practice
- Health Sector Stakeholder Relations. Explore clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
- National Studies. Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Practical integration
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate health policy, principles of management within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
- OJET. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect health policy, principles of management with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: analyse applied problems and justify your decisions using relevant evidence.
- Suggested practical assessment: complete a supervised project or portfolio with a clear method, results and evaluation.
- Present and defend your recommendations, then revise the work in response to assessor feedback.
Practical application
Develop a supervised community-health or environmental-health case study using anonymised or simulated information and a practical monitoring plan.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Health Policy
Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a community-health pattern using suitable evidence.
- Plan a proportionate prevention or service response.
- Evaluate results using defined indicators and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Population health and determinants
- Disease occurrence and surveillance information
- Exposure routes and prevention measures
- Community needs and service access
- Programme planning and evaluation
- Ethics, confidentiality and risk communication
Practical task
For Health Policy, prepare a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Principles Of Management
Explore the coordination of people, resources and decisions to deliver a defined service. Practice centres on an operational plan and service-improvement report, drawing on organisational purpose and responsibilities and work planning and resource allocation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check feasibility, accountability and evidence of service performance.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a service objective into responsibilities and work steps.
- Use records and performance measures to identify an operating problem.
- Recommend an improvement with clear actions and ownership.
Main topics
- Organisational purpose and responsibilities
- Work planning and resource allocation
- Procedures, records and internal controls
- Team coordination and problem solving
- Performance measures and service quality
- Accountability, review and improvement
Practical task
For Principles Of Management, prepare an operational plan and service-improvement report in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of feasibility, accountability and evidence of service performance.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Health Sector Estate Management
Explore the use of property information to support responsible ownership and service decisions. Practice centres on a property inspection and management case report, drawing on property types, interests and responsibilities and inspection and property records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check evidence relevance, stated property interests and defensible assumptions.
Learning outcomes
- Collect property information for a defined appraisal or management purpose.
- Compare options using relevant market and operating evidence.
- Prepare a report with clear assumptions and supporting records.
Main topics
- Property types, interests and responsibilities
- Inspection and property records
- Market evidence and comparison
- Occupancy, maintenance and operating costs
- Transactions, client communication and documentation
- Property appraisal and management reporting
Practical task
For Health Sector Estate Management, prepare a property inspection and management case report in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of evidence relevance, stated property interests and defensible assumptions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Epidemiology
Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a community-health pattern using suitable evidence.
- Plan a proportionate prevention or service response.
- Evaluate results using defined indicators and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Population health and determinants
- Disease occurrence and surveillance information
- Exposure routes and prevention measures
- Community needs and service access
- Programme planning and evaluation
- Ethics, confidentiality and risk communication
Practical task
For Epidemiology, prepare a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Health Sector Monitoring And Evaluation
Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Health Sector Monitoring And Evaluation, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Logistics And Transport Management
Explore the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Logistics And Transport Management, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Health Sector Procurement And Supply
Explore the acquisition of goods and services through clear requirements and accountable decisions. Practice centres on a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase, drawing on needs analysis and specifications and supplier information and sourcing options. You will record findings, justify decisions and check fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare requirements and evaluation criteria for a purchase.
- Compare offers using a documented method.
- Maintain an acquisition record from approval to acceptance.
Main topics
- Needs analysis and specifications
- Supplier information and sourcing options
- Quotation or tender evaluation
- Negotiation and contract responsibilities
- Delivery, acceptance and supplier performance
- Procurement records, conflicts and accountability
Practical task
For Health Sector Procurement And Supply, prepare a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Health Economics
Explore the identification and prevention of health risks affecting populations. Practice centres on a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data, drawing on population health and determinants and disease occurrence and surveillance information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a community-health pattern using suitable evidence.
- Plan a proportionate prevention or service response.
- Evaluate results using defined indicators and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Population health and determinants
- Disease occurrence and surveillance information
- Exposure routes and prevention measures
- Community needs and service access
- Programme planning and evaluation
- Ethics, confidentiality and risk communication
Practical task
For Health Economics, prepare a community-health assessment and prevention plan using anonymised data in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of indicator definitions, data limitations and feasibility of the proposed response.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Financial Accounting And Reporting 1
Explore the recording of transactions and preparation of financial information. Practice centres on an accounting file from source documents to financial statements, drawing on source documents and the accounting equation and double-entry records and journals. You will record findings, justify decisions and check completeness, classification, arithmetic and reconciliation.
Learning outcomes
- Record transactions using appropriate accounts and source evidence.
- Reconcile records and correct identified errors.
- Prepare financial information with a clear supporting audit trail.
Main topics
- Source documents and the accounting equation
- Double-entry records and journals
- Ledgers, trial balance and error correction
- Reconciliation and period-end adjustments
- Financial statements and supporting schedules
- Internal controls and interpretation of results
Practical task
For Financial Accounting And Reporting 1, prepare an accounting file from source documents to financial statements in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of completeness, classification, arithmetic and reconciliation.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Business Research Methods
Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a question suited to the available evidence and resources.
- Collect and analyse information using a documented method.
- Present conclusions supported by findings and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Problem definition and research questions
- Finding and evaluating literature
- Sampling and data-collection choices
- Consent, confidentiality and research integrity
- Organising and analysing evidence
- Interpreting results and reporting limitations
Practical task
For Business Research Methods, prepare a research proposal and small investigation in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Health Law
Explore the interpretation of legal principles and procedures within a defined jurisdiction. Practice centres on a source-based case note and procedural document, drawing on sources and hierarchy of legal authority and institutional roles and legal terminology. You will record findings, justify decisions and check jurisdiction, currency of authority and the distinction between analysis and advice.
Learning outcomes
- Locate the legal authority relevant to a stated issue.
- Apply a rule to a fictional fact pattern with clear reasoning.
- Prepare a concise legal-support record and identify matters needing specialist advice.
Main topics
- Sources and hierarchy of legal authority
- Institutional roles and legal terminology
- Rights, duties and procedural fairness
- Reading legislation and decisions
- Applying a rule to documented facts
- Legal records, ethics and referral boundaries
Practical task
For Health Law, prepare a source-based case note and procedural document in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of jurisdiction, currency of authority and the distinction between analysis and advice.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Foundations and shared practice
Health Sector Stakeholder Relations
Explore clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Learning outcomes
- Choose language and a channel suited to the audience.
- Prepare an accurate written or spoken service message.
- Respond to feedback while preserving a reliable record.
Main topics
- Purpose, audience and communication channels
- Listening, questioning and confirmation
- Professional correspondence and reports
- Meetings, briefings and presentation
- Difficult conversations and service recovery
- Confidentiality, accessible language and records
Practical task
For Health Sector Stakeholder Relations, prepare a communication portfolio with a service scenario in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
National Studies
Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a public health management setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Practical integration
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate health policy, principles of management within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Develop a supervised community-health or environmental-health case study using anonymised or simulated information and a practical monitoring plan.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
OJET
Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect health policy, principles of management with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Learning outcomes
- Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
- Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
- Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.
Main topics
- Workplace induction and agreed duties
- Applying technical knowledge to real work
- Work records and evidence of contribution
- Team communication and professional conduct
- Supervisor feedback and skills development
- Reflective review and future learning priorities
Practical task
Complete supervised duties linked to National Diploma in Public Health Management. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.
Instructors
