Observatories for the Health Workforce in Africa

1. 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

2. Africa

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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;

10. Overview of Africa Health Workforce Observatory Evidence for decision making HRH Polices, Planning, Education, Regulation, Management Core information Comparative studies Case studies Intercountry cooperation National Groups Inter-institutional Inter-sectoral HRH STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS ANALYSIS NEGOTIATION

11. 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

12. Components of Africa Health Workforce Observatory Steering/Board Function (Africa Platform? Partners) • 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. • National Observatories • Monitor HRH trends • research/studies • share information • engage in policy dialogue • contribute to capacity building.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. The end Mucho Gracias Thank you very much for your attention!