Scaling up production
Planning, developing and supporting the faith-based health workforce
African Church Health Associations (CHAs) are key partners in delivering human resources for health
Authors:
; African Church Health Associations
Publisher:
The Capacity Project, 2006
This report describes a meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya of the first African Church Health Associations (CHAs) human resources for health (HRH) working group, supported by USAID and Medicus Mundi. The report outlines major discussions on five critical topics, including: human resources strategic planning; provider performance improvement and management; human resources financing; retention policies and practices; and strengthening partnerships between Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and governments. The meeting highlighted the importance of CHA data collection to HRH,, the support networks provide to HRH at the facility and national policy setting levels, the importance of FBO health sector work and the need to address critical issues of HRH in Africa.
A number of examples of progress were reported, such as coordination with Ministries of Health in planning and budgeting, cost-sharing with governments on health worker salaries, health insurance schemes, retention strategies, free drugs supplied from central stores, and opportunities presented by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Key challenges identified were the charity mentality vs. professionalism, salary equivalency with government, retention issues, and health information collection and management. Finally, future areas of interest identified were sending staff to rural areas, training, easing qualifications and certification, and signing memorandums of understanding with governments.
[adapted from author]
