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A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Newbrander, W; Peercy, C; Shepherd-Banigan, M; Vergeer, P
Published in: Int J Health Plann Manage
2012

Fragile states need assessment of decentralized management capabilities, not just of the central level, to design capacity-building efforts focused on improving management. Improving the management capacity of health departments at the provincial or district level is just as critical as strengthening the central ministry in fragile states if a health system that effectively addresses the real health needs of the population is to be formed. This paper describes a management capacity assessment tool developed for use in fragile states. It uses a framework that describes six critical management areas: oversight and coordination; human resources; resource management; health financing; community involvement; and health information management. These core areas of health system management are assessed with regard to capacity in three core management functions: the capacity to plan, to implement, and to monitor and evaluate. The tool was applied to assess the management capacity of six counties in Liberia. The results helped differentiate the level of capacity of the different counties and clarify the actions required to strengthen the health system in the periphery. The assessment also allowed the prioritizing of county health offices with regard to the level of capacity building required to improve management. The tool also identified successes that can inform the design of future health programs in other county health offices. The tool can be applied to other challenging country situations to assess management capacity, which will help focus technical assistance to the health sector in fragile states.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Int J Health Plann Manage

DOI

EISSN

1099-1751

Publication Date

2012

Volume

27

Issue

4

Start / End Page

276 / 294

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Politics
  • Liberia
  • Healthcare Financing
  • Health Workforce
  • Health Resources
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Health Planning
  • Health Information Management
  • Federal Government
  • Developing Countries
 

Citation

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Newbrander, W., Peercy, C., Shepherd-Banigan, M., & Vergeer, P. (2012). A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state. Int J Health Plann Manage, 27(4), 276–294. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.1108
Newbrander, William, Chavanne Peercy, Megan Shepherd-Banigan, and Petra Vergeer. “A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state.Int J Health Plann Manage 27, no. 4 (2012): 276–94. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.1108.
Newbrander W, Peercy C, Shepherd-Banigan M, Vergeer P. A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2012;27(4):276–94.
Newbrander, William, et al. “A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state.Int J Health Plann Manage, vol. 27, no. 4, 2012, pp. 276–94. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/hpm.1108.
Newbrander W, Peercy C, Shepherd-Banigan M, Vergeer P. A tool for assessing management capacity at the decentralized level in a fragile state. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2012;27(4):276–294.
Journal cover image

Published In

Int J Health Plann Manage

DOI

EISSN

1099-1751

Publication Date

2012

Volume

27

Issue

4

Start / End Page

276 / 294

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Politics
  • Liberia
  • Healthcare Financing
  • Health Workforce
  • Health Resources
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Health Planning
  • Health Information Management
  • Federal Government
  • Developing Countries