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Project

Collaboration for Health Systems Analysis and Innovation (CHESAI)
 

Project ID
106788
Total Funding
CAD 1,605,000.00
IDRC Officer
Sue GODT
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
48 months

Programs and partnerships

Maternal and Child Health
Foundations for Innovation

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Lucy Gilson
South Africa

Project leader:
Uta Lehmann
South Africa

Summary

Adding a social science perspective to the field of health policy and systems research can help developing countries address health problems in a more comprehensive way.Read more

Adding a social science perspective to the field of health policy and systems research can help developing countries address health problems in a more comprehensive way. In recent years professionals have come to recognize that critical health problems need to be addressed in a more comprehensive way. Addressing health problems one disease at a time (a clinical or biomedical approach) no longer works. Instead, support for a more comprehensive health system involves creating more sustainable health delivery systems. This approach is important for developing countries where fragmented health systems cannot serve the population's needs and where the health research capacity of individuals and institutions is limited. The centrepiece of this research involves building the field of health policy and systems research with an explicit social science perspective. To achieve that goal, a series of postdoctoral research awards, sabbaticals for practitioner-scholars, and expert researcher residencies will be awarded in Africa. The awards will help to strengthen the knowledge base needed to create equitable health systems, while also upgrading methodologies. The University of the Western Cape and University of Cape Town in South Africa have the necessary experience and resources to launch this work, and enjoy strong linkages with universities across Africa as well as with other key stakeholders and institutions. The expected outcomes include building the field of health policy and systems research, not only in South Africa but also in low- and middle-income countries throughout Africa. Giving researchers the time and space to debate, consolidate, and further develop the field is expected to create a community of practice in health policy and systems research. Individual awards for postdoctoral research, scholarships, and residencies will complement this outcome. Other expected outcomes include publications, teaching material, podcasts, websites, and the dissemination of ideas through conferences and seminars.

Research outputs

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Article
Language:

English

Summary

The case study highlights how collective vision can facilitate commitment to and engagement with new policy in complex organisational environments. All those interviewed recognized value of the new approach. It brought tangible benefits in expanding access, improving performance of the health system (aspects such as vitamin A distribution, early antenatal booking, immunization coverage and retention in care of chronic cases all being mentioned), and building inter-sectoral relationships. Successful adoption does not, however, guarantee sustained implementation at scale. Lack of dedicated financial resources from national or provincial government is the most significant challenge.

Author(s)
Schneider, Helen
Article
Language:

English

Summary

Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) addresses systemic challenges in order to improve service delivery while supporting implementation of public health priority programmes, and thus contributing to improved population health. This article describes the field of HPSR; it clarifies the ways that HPSR can strengthen health systems, and considers existing assets and challenges facing development of this field in South Africa. It closes with suggested strategies and priorities for building public health capacity nationally, such as conducting more research with a systems perspective rather than a singular focus on intervention.

Author(s)
Orgill, Marsha
Article
Language:

English

Summary

This case study of one urban sub-district in Cape Town was developed as part of a wider action learning project partnership – the District Innovation and Action Learning for Health System Development (DIALHS) project – which aims to understand and improve health system governance. The paper argues that generating positive organizational change is a key task of district managers and leaders. Routine management in an environment of stress, constraints and uncertainty requires that managers be resilient, reflective, and continuously able to learn. The article recommends that management and leadership programmes should focus on developing these capabilities alongside technical skills training.

Author(s)
Elloker, Soraya
Article
Language:

English

Summary

Motivational factors identified as linked to trust include respect; recognition, appreciation and rewards; supervision; teamwork; management support; autonomy; communication, feedback and openness; and staff shortages and resource inadequacy. Evidence indicates that workplace trust relationships encourage social interactions and cooperation among health workers, have impact on their intrinsic motivation, and have consequences for retention, performance and quality of care. Human resource management and organisational practices are critical in sustaining workplace trust and health workers motivation.

Author(s)
Okello, Dickson R.O.
Article
Language:

English

Summary

This in-depth report examines the South African school health service, and considers its design and intentions against international models. Across countries of all income levels, the dual role of school health in contributing to both the health and education status of children has been recognised. The paper provides an overview of school health services and the integrated school health policy (ISHP) in particular: its evolution and current implementation progress. The review emphasises need for close collaboration between health and education, regardless of which department leads. It also highlights challenges with modes of delivery, resource constraints, and inter- and intra-sectoral relationships.

Author(s)
Shung-King, Maylene
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