Project News

The RHM2 Project usually holds meetings of representatives from all 21 RHMT's twice a year for them to share their progress and experiences. The first Annual RHMT Review Meeting was held for three days from 11th of September in the Tanzanian capital city of Dodoma. Among the 63 participants from the 21 regions were the Regional Medical Officers, the Regional Health Secretaries, the Regional Health Officers and the Regional Nursing Officers. Other participants were CMSS Supervisors from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, representatives from Sector Coordination Division of the Prime Minister's Office-Regional Administration and Local Government, and from other Development Partners (JICA, GiZ DANIDA).

The participants reviewed the activities in each region in the FY2011/12 including their Good Practices, discussed the RHMT Annual Plan 2012/13 as well as the cooperation towards sharing the project framework and monitoring. The organizers also took them through the discussion for the improvement of a draft tool to be used by RHMT's in their supportive supervision to CHMTs.

An orientation programme was conducted in conjunction with the meeting to introduce current status of relevant policy issues and programmes. The topics presented and discussed were;

1) Status and challenges of establishment of Regional Referral Hospital Governing Committee (Hospital Reform Team/MOHSW),

2) The progress of Public Private Partnership and RHMT's role (PPP Section/MOHSW), and

3) Council Health Service Board and expected role of CHMTs.

There has never been proper briefing on the issues of Regional Referral Hospital Governing Boards and CHSB. The programme provided opportunity for the RHMTs to recognize their expected roles in these areas. At the end of the meeting, four regional teams who scored the most in the assessment of the RHMT Annual Plan 2012/13 were recognized for their achievement. The top two teams, Kagera and Pwani, received memorial plaque water-cooker as prizes.

As opportunity for RHMT members from all regions to gather in one place and time is rare, enthusiastic participation was observed from among the staff from the central ministries (MOHSW and PMORALG) as well as from the Development Partners. Compared with the Project Inauguration Meeting in January, the active participation of the younger members of RHMT was noted. Utilizing their PC skills, they often took notes of the group discussions or made presentations on behalf of the team. This may also be the reflection of current trend that the young staff members with graduate degrees in such areas as health management are being recruited as RHMT members. It is a sign of transition in health administration from concentration on medical background to emphasis on management.

As we continue with our implementation of training and field testing of Supportive Supervision Tools (October - November), we will strive to respond to the needs of the teams on the ground.

(Written by Makiko Komasawa/ Senior Health Advisor and Health Management)

Groupwork

Commendation Ceremony