Southern Ethiopia - Gwent Health Link

 Summary/conclusion

The key questions and ones that are difficult to answer are: ‘Does the work of the Link make any difference? Are any achievements worth the effort? What is realistic? The problems are great and the Southern Ethiopia Gwent Health Link is rightly, confining itself to taking small measures. Outcomes are difficult to measure and it is also difficult to attribute specific outcomes/positive changes to the work of the Link in isolation to other factors. Thus far however, the evidence is that the Link is using the right methods to achieve its goals and achieving them with varying degrees of success. It is early days for the Exemplar Health Centre project but the emphasis on partnership is particularly strong and valued by all parties. This is perceived to be a great strength of the Link and one that will be essential to taking the work forward and achieving the outcomes of improvement in the environment of care, health care experience and healthcare outcomes for the populations of Wondogenet, Alaba and Yirgacheffe.

References

• Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2005) Ministry of Health, Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSDP-111) 2005/06- 2009/10. Planning and Programme Department, MOH.
• Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2006) Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Health System Strengthening (HSS), Country Proposal
• Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2007) Health and Health Related Indicators, MOH
• Girma S et al (2007) Human Resource Development for Health in Ethiopia: Challenges of Achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development 2007; 21(3) 216-231
• World Bank (2005) Ethiopia, A Country Status on Health and Poverty, African Development, cited Girma et al (2007)(op cit)

Appendices:

• Appendix 1: 'Data collection plans, March 2008 visit'
• Appendix 2: 'Focus group interviews/discussions with staff'
• Appendix 3: 'Outline interview schedule, students'
• Appendix 4: 'Outline interview schedule, patients/other personnel'
• Appendix 5: 'Template for individual reports'
• Appendix 6: 'Proforma for ongoing data collection in the Health Centres'