2nd Annual Progress Report Meeting

From 25^th to 27^th February 2025, the Annual Progress Report Meeting on Quality Improvement of Health Services was held in Harare. The meeting brought together 108 participants, drawn from representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Provincial Health Executives (PHEs), target hospitals, development partners, the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, and JICA Zimbabwe Office.

During the meeting, 14 target hospitals and 10 PHEs presented the result of internal monitoring and evaluation of Quality Improvement (QI) activities through 5S-KAIZEN-TQM Approach, good practices and challenges in service delivery and workplace environments as well as the outline of activity plan for 2025. Additionally, PHEs also reported on the implementation of QI training and supervisory visits to healthcare facilities within their province.

After every 3 to 4 presentations by the hospitals and PHEs, Q&A sessions was held to facilitate in-depth discussions on the presentations delving on human resource development and quality-related indicators, allowing participants to exchange a wide range of opinions and insights.

One of the key sessions focused on reports from participants who attended a study tour to Tanzania in October 2024. Representative from each target hospital shared the specific actions they took upon returning, including:

These initiatives were inspired by practical ideas observed during the site visits in Tanzania, which is demonstrating the effectiveness of the study tour.

Beyond the target hospitals, Kadoma General Hospital shared its current efforts and implementation status in 5S activities after supports from one of the development partners ended.

Additionally, an online session was held with Allada-Toffo-Ze Zonal Hospital in Benin, where 5S-KAIZEN-TQM Approach was introduced in 2019 with the support of JICA, and is still actively continuing its activities. The hospital director highlighted the importance of tracking quantitative indicators to motivate staff and sustain QI activities.

Two panel discussions were conducted on the following themes:

The discussion emphasized the importance of leadership, staff empowerment, and creating a learning organization. In particular, it was emphasized that having a clear role and awareness for everyone in a hospital to be involved in QI activities, regardless of their position within the hospital, would lead to the promotion of the activities.

The discussion noted that collaboration enables the pooling of resources (human, financial, and material), thereby enhancing QI initiatives. Furthermore, it was discussed that fostering a shared vision of QI among stakeholders at the provincial level was seen as essential for sustainable improvements.

As in the previous year, good practices of 5S and Quick KAIZEN activities were presented, and participants voted to recognize outstanding initiatives.

Awards were also given to the top five hospitals and top three PHEs for Best QIT functions as well as the top three Work Improvement Teams (WITs) for its outstanding 5S-KAIZEN-TQM activities, based on the external monitoring and supervision results.

During the award ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of MoHCC and the Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe attended as Guests of Honor, presenting certificates and commemorative gifts to the award-winning institutions.

This annual report meeting confirmed the steady progress made by each hospital in QI activities. Moving forward, the project will continue collaborating with stakeholders to promote quality healthcare services through 5S-KAIZEN-TQM Approach in Zimbabwe.