Model for Overcoming Policy Analysis Limitation and Implementation Challenges: Integrative Propositional Analysis of South African National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020

This article examines the use of integrative propositional analysis (IPA) to assess the internal logic structures of policy, to complement policy analysis and evaluation for improved implementation. Integrative propositional analysis is a methodology that studies causal logics of conceptual systems and is used to evaluate a policy’s internal coherence. The study is aimed at evaluating the assessment of the internal logic of the Gauteng Mental Marathon Project (GMMP) implemented in the Gauteng province in South Africa, which served as a strategic plan from the National Mental Health Policy Framework and its implementation outcomes. The qualitative methodology was adopted using a triangulation of secondary data. Data for the study were collected from YouTube video testimonies, textual records of the Life Esidimeni Arbitration, the Health Ombudsman’s report and the arbitration judgement of Judge Motseneke, including other media commentaries. The findings suggest that the GMMP failed for three reasons. Firstly, the low structure of the policy reflects a poor understanding of the situation. Secondly, the low levels of structure also contribute to poor communication between officials, which, thirdly, is a supporting factor in the policy not being followed according to the plan. The IPA provides a useful pathway to improve policy implementation by examining the internal logic structure of a policy; this then allows for effectively improving the quality of policy decisions.