AFRICA CHRISTIAN HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORM (ACHAP)

WORKSHOP ON GOVERNANCE AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

VENUE: Kampala, Uganda – hosted by UCMB & UPMB

DATES: 20th-23rd September 2010

Work shop theme: Enhancing CHAs performance and accountability through governance and health information systems management

Workshop objectives

1.  To facilitate peer learning on effective governance systems for CHAs and member health facilities

2.  To share experiences and tools on efficient HMIS and M&E systems

3.  To continue dialogue of the CHAs-HRH-TWG on HRH training and retention strategies

4.  To facilitate networking and sharing of resources in governance, HMIS/M&E and HRH

5.  To discuss and build consensus on the plans for the Africa CHAs 5th Biennial Conference to be held in Accra, Ghana in February 2011

Expected output

1.  Workshop report to be disseminated to members and partners. It shall also be uploaded on the ACHA website

2.  Capacity building and experiences exchange on governance, HMIS and HRH

3.  Workplan for the CHAs-HRH-TWG produced

4.  Recommendations for the ACHAP participation at the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) Global Forum scheduled for Bangkok in January 2011

5.  Theme and Concept Paper for the ACHA 5th Biennial Conference to be held in February 2011

Targeted participants

1.  CHAs - Two participants from each of the following member CHAs who must include the CEO and a Board Representative (preferably the Board Chairman)

  1. Lesotho – CHALe
  2. Zimbabwe – ZACH
  3. Zambia – CHAZ
  4. Malawi – CHAM
  5. Tanzania – CSSC
  6. Kenya – CHAK, KEC and MEDS
  7. Uganda – UPMB, UCMB and JMS
  8. DRC – ECC
  9. CHAD
  10. Cameroun
  11. Sudan – CHAS
  12. Nigeria – CHAN and CHANPharm
  13. Liberia – CHAL
  14. ACHAP Secretariat

2.  International Partners

  1. IMAWH
  2. ICCO
  3. CORDAID
  4. Difaem
  5. Misereor
  6. WCC
  7. PCUSA – Frank Dimmock

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined six pillars in Health Systems. These include;

a.  Health service delivery

b.  Health care financing

c.  Infrastructure and commodities supply systems

d.  Human Resources for Health (HRH)

e.  Health Management Information Systems (HMIS)

f.  Governance and accountability

During the ACHA workshop held in Nairobi in March 2010 we shared experiences and discussed strategies on HRH retention and advocacy. At the ACHA workshop planned for September 2010, we shall focus our attention on governance systems for CHAs and member health facilities and health information management systems. We shall seek to learn from each other on strategies, approaches, tools and technology for enhancing data capture, processing, storage, retrieval, dissemination and use of health information to support decision making and accountability. Governance is always critical for long-term vision and strategy development which ensures organization’s relevance and sustainability. However, CHAs often experience challenges with their governance structures due to Board limitations of composition, skills mix, clarity on roles and responsibilities of the Board, Management and Owning Church. The CHAs workshop will present an opportunity to learn from some case studies on governance models in different countries and facilitate discussion for recommendations on the best Owner-Governance-Management relationship and roles.

Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) is key for decision making, planning, accountability and M&E. Even though CHAs are considered part of the national health system and routinely report to the MOH reporting system, they often do not receive feedback or acknowledgement. In addition, there is low motivation for quality and efficient data collection, analysis, storage, dissemination and use. Despite the global developments in ICT, many countries in Africa and CHAs are still using manual systems for medical records which are inefficient and unreliable. However there are exciting models of efficient computerized health information systems. The workshop will provide an opportunity for sharing some best practices in HMIS from member CHAs.

HRH has proved to be an ongoing crisis that negatively impacts on the CHAs health service delivery. Challenges around HRH recruitment, retention, motivation and development are common among CHAs in all countries. The CHAs-HRH-TWG has been re-activated to facilitate regular dialogue and engagement on HRH retention strategies. An additional area of discussion is on exploring potential of increasing the training of health workers through the CHAs Medical Training Colleges. During the Kampala meeting, a side event of the CHAs-HRH-TWG will be held to discuss strategies for increasing HRH training and retention.

The last day of the workshop, will host a meeting of the ACHA Advisory Team with Development Partners and CHAG to discuss plans for the 5th Biennial ACHA Conference which will be held on 21-24th February 2010. The meeting will discuss the Conference theme, programme, facilitators, participants, logistics, budget and fundraising.

Workshop programme outline

1.  Day one: Governance - meeting to be attended by CEOs of CHAs and Board representatives

  1. Case study on Private Sector perspective of Good Corporate Governance
  2. Member Hospitals governance – CHAK
  3. Country reports of CHAs governance structure; advantages and challenges
  4. Focus Group discussion on Board composition, capacity development, performance evaluation and managing of potential conflicts between Owners-Board-Management-Government
  5. ACHAP Governance

2.  Day two: Health Management Information Systems

  1. Uganda HMIS System – UCMB
  2. CHAG HMIS system and it’s role in the National Social Health Insurance Scheme
  3. Project M&E; the success of Sanru project (DRC) M&E
  4. CHAK HMIS Software; integrating medical records and accounting system
  5. Afternoon will be dedicated to a site visit to UPMB and UCMB Hospital to learn application of HMIS in a hospital and it’s relation with CHA Secretariat and MOH

3.  Day three: HMIS/HRH/ACHA Conference Planning

  1. Morning – Group discussion on strategies for enhancing CHAs HMIS and communication
  2. Afternoon – CHAs-HRH-TWG meeting
  3. Afternoon – ACHA Advisory Team and Partners Meeting to plan for ACHA 5th Biennial Conference

4.  Day four : ACHA Conference planning - finalization of plan, budget and fundraising strategy and Departures

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