Observatories for the Health Workforce in Africa

VIII REGIONAL MEETING OF THE OBSERVATORIES OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS LIMA, PERU 20-22 NOVEMBER 2006

Africa

Africa context

• Critical shortage of the health workforce • Weak capacity at various levels • Poor statistics at all levels• Few evidence-based knowledge

available and used on policy decisions

Africa context-process

• The concept of African HW platform and Observatory were endorsed at the July 2005 stakeholder consultation

• The activities contribute to the health workforce agenda for Africa

• Interim steering committee of 15 (country and institutional membership to elaborate the platform

• WHO was requested to facilitate establishment of observatory

Proposed strategic focus of the African Platform

• Advocacy for common African position on key HW issues

• High level policy dialogue

• Resource mobilisation

• Promote coordinated action in countries by different players

Proposed priority focus areas for the Platform

• Workforce performance improvement

• Focus on the mid level and community based health workforce.

• Improving the workforce density by strengthening the capacity of training institutions for pre-service training

Next steps for the platform

• Planned steering committee meeting in January 2007

• Finalise the work plan

• Hold a forum to launch the platform in 2007

Africa Health Workforce Observatory definition

It is a cooperative initiative and partnership (Public sector, NGO/ CSOs, Academy, Professional Associations, international & subregional organizations, development partners) to improve human resources development through promoting and facilitating evidence-based policy-making.

Africa Health Workforce Observatory: general objectives

• to develop national capacity for evaluation and monitoring of HRH situation and trends

• to provide information and evidence for the formulation of HRH development policies, strategies and plans

• to provide a forum for partnership, sharing of experience and advocacy in HRH development

• to facilitate the use of HRH data for informed decision-making at all levels of the health system;

Overview of Africa Health Workforce Observatory

ANALYSISNEGOTIATION

HRH STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS

National GroupsInter-institutional

Inter-sectoral

Core information

Comparative studies

Case studies

Intercountry cooperation

Evidence for decision making

HRHPolices, Planning,

Education,Regulation,

Management

Functions of the Africa Health Workforce Observatory

• Country monitoring and information

• Research and analysis

• Sharing and dissemination

• Promote national and intercountry networking

• Capacity building for HRH

Components of Africa Health Workforce Observatory

Regional Secretariat•Support to national observatories;•development of common guidelines and tools;•intercountry studies•Sharing and dissemination•resource mobilization and fund-raising efforts.National Observatories

•Monitor HRH trends research/studies•share information•engage in policy dialogue•contribute to capacity building.

Steering/Board Function (Africa Platform? Partners)

National Observatories•Monitor HRH trends •research/studies•share information•engage in policy dialogue•contribute to capacity building.

National Health Workforce Observatories (2)

A network of all resources and stakeholders in health

workforce development in the country

The network may involve such as

• Government (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of

Finance, Public Service Commission, National Statistics Office,

etc),

• academia,

• professional associations,

• NGOs, civil society consumer/client groups

• development partners

Critical success factors to make health workforce observatories at country level • Having champions in the country

• Advocacy and political commitment

• Identifying stakeholders

• An attraction to work together

• Having a good understanding of situation

• Move from ad-hoc commissions to more sustainable mechanisms (Mandate and legitimacy)

• Coordination mechanisms and focal point/secretariat

• Funding opportunities

• Having something to work out together

Source: Meeting of Africa Health Workforce Observatory: Group Discussions on Tuesday, 26 September 2006

Some key start-up activities

• Carry out stakeholder analysis and establish networks of contacts and partners

• Conduct country assessments and develop HRH country profiles

• Collate and share existing studies/results in the country

• Conduct research into HRH issues- national and intercountry

• Promoting a national health workforce agenda

• Establishing forums for information sharing, i.e. web site, regular meetings, etc

Update on progress: Organizational developments

• A focal point in AFRO to facilitate mobilization of the Observatory &3 staff being recruited for Observatory

• A Working Group has been formed – to elaborate the functions and organizational aspects– To promote and facilitate partnership– To initiate and guide the technical work

• Concept papers for regional and national Observatory have been elaborate

• Some funding mobilised through the GHWA• Ethiopia national Observatory was launched on

WHD

Update on progress (2)Technical developments

• Health Workforce data collection and database

• A Report on Regional overview of Health Workforce based on 2003 and 2005 surveys is in progress

• At least 2 intercountry study protocols are being worked out.

• A draft template for country health workforce profiles is prepared

• Observatory website is about to be launched

• Two sub regional meetings on the Africa Health Workforce Observatory to prepare for the launch held (14 countries in each case)-third sub regional planned for January 2007

National Observatories progress……

• Ethiopia launched on WHD 2006-TORs worked out, 3 key activities launched and secretariat initiated. Platform established with partners & stakeholders

• Endorsement for establishment of the HRH Observatory (Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda at various stages of the process)

• Some support available to technically support sensitisation at country level

Moving forward…………..

• Building up on ongoing efforts of HRH development

• Engaging stakeholders at all levels

• Networking at regional and national levels

• Starting up national networks as requested

• Advocacy for the concept and resources

The end

Mucho Gracias

Thank you very much for your attention!