Boosting the performance of health workers in Africa

The EU-funded PERFORM project is addressing the workforce deficit in the region. The objective is to identify which areas within decentralised management structures in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda can be improved using available resources.

Researchers investigated the effectiveness of an action-based approach for management strengthening also the strategies that would improve performance in different contexts.

A comparison was made between human resources (HR) and HS management processes. Partners selected three districts in each country and their respective district health management teams (DHMTs) based on specific criteria. In addition, each partner established country-specific research advisory groups.

Researchers identified workforce performance-related problems in each DHMT using collected data. They shared their results and explored possible 'bundles' of HR and HS strategies with DHMTs to address these problems. These bundles of HR and HS strategies were developed by the DHMTs during a series of national workshops in each African country in 2013 and were included in district work plans.

Tools have been designed to enable DHMTs to record progress in carrying out their plans. The tools also allow them to reflect on their knowledge as part of the action research procedure and to supply data enabling the research teams to check the process. This led to standardised guidelines for all participating DHMTs.

Project partners have delivered best practices for mentoring and supervision based on visits to districts and DHMTs, and prepared a review checklist for bundles following various assessments.

PERFORM is contributing to the knowledge of how management at district level can be reinforced and how health workforce performance can be further developed in sub-Saharan Africa.