Activities CHAG Secretariat in 2009
Considering the specific nature of CHAG being a network of 168 faith-based health care and training institutions, each operating in a decentralised system, this AWP is limited to those activities that are taking place at ‘associational’ level. As such, this 2009 AWP reinforces and complements existing annual and medium-term health plans that Church Health Coordinating Units and Member Institutions will be undertaking separately.
Similar to last year, it has been decided to concentrate the main activities on a limited number of intervention areas for two reasons: (a) many of the activities planned (including the establishment of management support systems, capacity building programmes, operational research and advocacy) are time consuming by nature and require a lot of (management) attention for successful completion within the given timeframe; (b) the management, technical coordination and supervisory capacities at the Secretariat are still limited at the moment.
Taking into consideration CHAG’s 2008-2011 Strategic Plan, main priorities identified in the POW of the health sector, needs analysis carried out among MIs and CHCUs and recent experience gained under the 2008 AWP, the following areas of work will be given main emphasis in 2009:
In 2009 CHAG Secretariat will promote Member Institutions to further align their operations with the POW and applicable planning, management and reporting arrangements. Furthermore the Secretariat will increasingly play its envisioned coordinating, technical support & training and advocacy role in 2009.
Main activities in 2009:
A. Strengthening the management and provision of health care at CHAG facility level, this includes among others:
- Upgrading the planning and management skills of Managers of MIs
- Promoting the use of health management information for decision making
- Promoting the preparation of (medium-term) development plans, aligned with district health plans
- Training in the areas of accreditation, quality assurance, health financing and claim management
B. Improving knowledge sharing among Member Institutions (MIs), CHCUs and the Secretariat, this includes among others:
- Improving the knowledge among members about ongoing developments within the health sector
- The development of a performance management tool
- Identifying options for improving drugs management
- Support to human resource planning and development
- The development, production and dissemination of management and training tools
- The organisation of the Annual Health Council
- Periodic updating of CHAG’s Website
C. Strengthening the role of the Secretariat to support the work of CHCUs and MIs, this includes among others:
- The provision of management and training support
- Regular coordination meetings and training workshops at ‘zone’ level
- Upgrading the technical capacities of the Secretariat
D. Actively contributing to the policy dialogue, this includes among others:
- The compilation of policy briefs
- Conducting operational studies in the areas of health insurance, HRD and drugs management
- Participation in ‘standing health sector’ committees
