Decentralization, an important part of health sector reform, transfers power over health service management functions from the center to the periphery. Designers and implementers of such changes, however, rarely have a clear view of how management authority and responsibility are distributed between management levels either before or after decentralization takes effect. Furthermore, they frequently fail to appreciate the linkages between different management levels and functions that are vital for effective health sector reform.
In 1999, Management Sciences for Health developed a simple decentralization planning tool for mapping management functions within the functional areas of financial resources, human resources, drugs and supplies, equipment and infrastructure, health service delivery, and health information systems. The tool provides a structured process through which decentralization decisions can be grounded on a shared understanding of the way health services are managed and the potential demands on and limitations of existing management capacity. The tool was offered for field-testing to subscribers of an electronic forum on decentralization. Almost 100 requests for the tool were received. Several of the respondents offered to field-test the tool and to provide feedback to the developers. This presentation analyzes the feedback provided and shows how the tool was applied in the field.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. identify the main components of the decentralization planning tool 2. give examples of the way the tool was applied in different countries by individuals field-testing it
Keywords: Health Reform, Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Management Sciences for Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment with MSH