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Structuring and organisation of health services
Much of our work at Health Partners International (HPI) has focused on developing or introducing district health services, which are an essential requirement for organising effective, accessible health care in most low-income countries.
We also have expertise in helping with the reorganisation of high-level structures. Working at this level requires a high degree of political sensitivity, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement, but is often a critical component of embedding health sector reform.
Some of our projects
- Design of the Health and Social Sector Support Programme II (HSSP II) - Namibia
- Restructuring and repositioning of Jigawa State Ministry of Health - Nigeria
- Increasing awareness of and support for DHS implementation - Nigeria
Background information
Decentralising and strengthening district health systems have been common strategies in recent decades for improving services in low-income countries, especially in Africa. Restructuring services from local to national level is key to such improvements.
HPI and our partners have extensive experience and expertise in structuring and organisation of health services. Some principles and strategies that we have found vital include:
- engaging with stakeholders and ensuring ongoing political and managerial commitment is maintained at all levels
- ensuring that changes improve service delivery and are enshrined in acts, laws and regulations
- ensuring that changes achieve tangible improvements and that disruption is minimised during the change management process
- strengthening management systems, including financial, information and human resources
- engaging with key community stakeholders and the community itself
- strengthening management within the organisation.