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New LeaderNet Seminar: Good Governance of Civil Society Organizations
March 12, 2010

LeaderNet will host a virtual seminar from March 15 to 19, 2010 titled "Good Governance of Civil Society Organizations." This seminar will be offered in Spanish and English. Facilitators will lead participants in an in-depth exploration of the meaning of good governance, as well as the principles of accountability, transparency, and working in public interest. Through LeaderNet's multilingual discussion board, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion on the responsibilities of boards of directors. Throughout the seminar, participants will be given readings and self-assessments to reflect on the governance capacity of their organization.


LMS Project in Tanzania Credited with Strengthening Organization
March 9, 2010

The Country Director with Mildmay International/Tanzania, based in Moshi, recently credited LMS with provided a strong “developmental base” in their organizational capacity, including an updated three-year strategic plan. “Using the plan as our guide,” he said, “we have extended HIV&AIDS care and support coverage…Without a doubt, we have immensely benefited from MSH technical support and the team of very competent consultants and staff.” LMS has worked with Mildmay International to strengthen the organization’s operations, accounting and finance systems, and human resources management.


LMS Continues Family Planning Support in Haiti
March 9, 2010

Despite the many challenges of working in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake, LMS distributed more than 1 million family planning commodities in the month following the disaster: over 1.2 million condoms; 44,000 oral contraceptives; 33,200 injectable methods; and 100 implants. During the distribution, LMS carried out site evaluations throughout the country to ensure that it was still possible to manage the products according to established standards for US Government-supported health sites. Given the displacement of more than 700,000 Haitians in the Port-au-Prince area alone, the availability and distribution of condoms and other family planning products is an essential component of the post-earthquake response.


Strengthening the National Commodities Security Committee in the Dominican Republic
March 2, 2010

The Dominican Republic is in a graduation process in which USAID support for the Family Planning Program and funding for contraceptives will come to an end in September 2010. To aid in this transition, LMS organized two workshops with the National Commodities Security Committee to help reinvigorate the leadership and functionality of the committee in 2009. During the workshops the committee defined their vision and organized itself into teams to address identified challenges. As a result of this process, a procurement of contraceptives which had been delayed more than four months was cleared, with supplies secured for the entire second half of 2009. Additionally, several regions have begun providing 24-hour family planning services.  Working in teams using the challenge model enabled the committee to reorganize, focus on priorities, and increase their leadership to ensure the Dominican Republic’s family planning programs do not suffer during the upcoming transition.


Second Virtual Leadership Development Program (VLDP) for M&E Teams Closes
March 2, 2010

The second MEASURE Evaluation-funded VLDP for health program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) teams from public and private sector organizations in Anglophone countries successfully concluded in December 2009. Over the course of the 13-week VLDP, 75 participants (46 male, 29 female) comprising 10 teams from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe completed action plans to address challenges they face in the collection, analysis, and use of health program data. In the program evaluation, 79% of participants reported already starting to implement their action plans and 88% reported having brought about changes in their organization. Additionally, 100% would recommend the VLDP to other organizations, according to one participant, “leadership is the most overlooked area in most organizations.” Follow-up with each of the 10 teams will be conducted six months post-program in June 2010 to document results of the teams’ progress on their action plans.


Fostering Change and Leadership Featured at ECSA Health Ministers Meeting
March 2, 2010

LMS participated in the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Ministers Meeting in February 2010, presenting on fostering change in a plenary and facilitating the Health Minister’s Leadership Roundtable. A draft resolution was adopted that focuses on the leadership and management development needs of health ministers and their senior teams, which includes expanding the leadership Roundtable at the Ministers Meeting. The Kenya Minister of Medical Services also presented on the ministry’s work with LMS during the conference. Leadership, management, and Governance were highlighted by a variety of participants and presenters throughout the week-long event.


First Virtual Strategic Planning Program for M&E teams to Launch in February
March 2, 2010

In February 2010, 12 teams from Botswana, Cambodia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zambia began the 17-week Virtual Strategic Planning Program (VSPP). The program, funded by USAID through MEASURE Evaluation III, was designed for teams working in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of HIV/AIDS programs and will continue until June 2010.


The LMS Capacity Building Program in Nigeria Reforms the National State House Medical Center
February 17, 2010

The State House Medical Center was built to provide services to members of the Federal Executive Council and staff of the State House serving the president. However services have been so poor that the facility was not being used. The center requested that the LMS Capacity Building program help improve services and quality of care. LMS conducted a participatory assessment of management systems at the center so managers themselves could identify, understand, and take responsibility for addressing the gaps in the system. Managers received training in leadership, focusing on appropriate ways of communicating with patients, especially those who require special counseling. By taking this approach State House Medical Center staff have identified the gaps in service, are motivated, and are better able to solve the center’s challenges.

LMS Project in Nigeria Assists the OVC Division of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to Develop 2010 Workplan
February 17, 2010

The Capacity Building project in Nigeria, in its ongoing technical assistance to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Division of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development, has successfully supported the Division in developing its workplan for 2010. This is the first time that the Division is developing a workplan at the beginning of the year with the involvement and guidance of partner organizations. This collaboration indicates a reversal in the Division’s previously partner-led planning. The Division will be consolidating its national OVC coordination role and providing much needed leadership. MSH has been invited with other partners to a roundtable to discuss how they may support activities in the workplan.


LMS Project in Nigeria Participates in Nigerian National HIV/AIDS Quality Management
February 17, 2010

ProACT, the LMS Associate Award in Nigeria, continues to support the system-strengthening work of creating a national strategy for the response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Led by the Federal ministry of Health, a meeting took place between government and implementing partners to unify the approach to the fights against HIV/AIDS and to develop a national set of indicators. This national system strengthening work is aimed at ensuring quality of care. Software is being developed by the Center for Disease Control with LMS input to capture data from the field, which will be measured against national indicators.  


Leadership Development Program (LDP) Integrated into All Levels of the Zanzibar Public Sector
February 17, 2010

In Tanzania, LMS has used the LDP to build the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), line ministries, and district coordinating committees to lead and coordinate the national response to HIV/AIDS in Zanzibar. Since 2006, LMS has conducted six LDPs in Zanzibar, involving 45 teams and over 200 individual participants, representing every district (10 teams) and line ministry (26 teams) on Unguja and Pemba. Three teams of senior officials and six of Division Heads from the MOHSW have participated. At the request of the Zanzibar MOHSW, LMS facilitated a Training of Trainers (TOT) in November 2009 to graduates of the LDP. As a result, nine local coaches are now assisting LDP teams in reviewing their action plans, mobilizing resources, and start implementing their projects, thereby providing reinforcement and sustainability of the LDP independently of donor resources.


Fully Functional Service Delivery Point Methodology Introduced in DRC
February 16, 2010

Since October 2009, the LMS/DRC project has been introducing the Fully Functional Service Delivery Point methodology in 23 health zones in Kasai Oriental and Kasai Occidental Provinces. Called FOSACOF in French, this is an approach designed to give staff at hospitals and health centers the tools to improve the quality of service delivery and service management across a range of primary health care and infectious disease services, including family planning. In October and November, the FOSACOF evaluation tools and criteria were revised by project and MOH staff to reflect the local context. Approximately 120 health centers (five or so per zone) have been selected to pilot the approach in DRC. With the support of MSH and MOH health zone staff, these health centers are currently conducting their initial assessments to identify priority needs and develop plans of action for quality improvement. Meetings to assess progress were held in January 2010 with the purpose of sharing lessons learned and revising the approach as needed.


LMS/Nigeria Hosts a Leadership Development Workshop for Government Officials and Health Care Professionals
February 2, 2010

In January 2010, LMS held a Leadership Development Program in Kaduna, Nigeria. A joint activity by MSH’s Prevention Organizational Systems AIDS Care and Treatment (ProACT) and Capacity Building (CB) projects (both USAID-funded initiatives), the workshop involved 47 participants from State Action Committees on AIDS (SACAs), the Ministry of Health, and Specialist Hospitals from Kogi and Niger States. The workshop aimed at generating a long-term commitment to strategic transformation of health systems and providing the skills necessary to achieve this goal. One enthusiastic participant commented; “We have learnt that there is a big difference between a leader and a manager…we now have a shared vision, and will go back home to share that vision.” Another stated: “everyone of us must continue to strive for a better Nigeria, or for a better SACA or better specialist hospital in our states.”


LMS Supports HIV/AIDS Program Review Workshops in Amhara and Oromia Regions
February 2, 2010

In collaboration with the zonal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Offices (HAPCOs), LMS organized eight zonal HIV/AIDS program review workshops in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia Regions. Occurring in November and December 2009, these workshops involved 530 participants from 11 international organizations, 179 governmental organizations, and 122 local organizations providing HIV/AIDS intervention programming.  These participants included zonal sector office heads and district administrators. The workshops provided a venue to share key achievements and lessons learned from HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and programming support. Through the workshops, participants established networks or forums for partners which will meet regularly to plan, coordinate and review HIV/AIDS activities in their respective zones.


Virtual CSO Board Governance Program for HIV/AIDS Organization Comes to a Successful End
February 2, 2010

The third Virtual CSO Board Governance Program (VCGP) came to a successful close in November 2009. Six teams from Anglophone Africa in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda with a total of 43 participants (29 male, 14 female) completed governance improvement plans to improve the functioning of their Board of Directors. Of the participants that completed the final program evaluation, 95% reported that the program modules were “Very helpful” or “Helpful” and 97% report having brought about changes in their organization as a result of the program. In the words of one participant from Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust in Kenya, “What I appreciated about the VCGP, and why I would recommend it to other organizations, is that the modules work and regular structured team meetings over a period of eight weeks helps establish a pattern and culture of focus and commitment. The VCGP has helped us build the momentum that we needed in order to move forward. Having gone through the VCGP's different program modules, each Trustee is now better able to see how and in what way they can become more active and better custodians in the drive for good governance.”


Virtual Leadership Development Program (VLDP) for M&E Teams to Launch in February
February 2, 2010

In February, a VLDP for family planning and reproductive health organization monitoring and evaluation (M&E) teams will begin. Funded by the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) Associate Award of MEASURE Evaluation Phase III, this third VLDP on M&E will continue through April 30th with 12 selected teams from Anglophone countries in Africa and Asia. 


Second Virtual Business Planning for Health Program for Reproductive Health and Family Planning Organizations in Latin America Launches
January 27, 2010

On January 18, 2010, LMS launched the Virtual Business Planning for Health (VBPH) Program for reproductive health and family planning organizations in Latin America. The VBPH is an interactive fourteen-week program that helps organizations to draft a sound business plan that advances the organization’s mission. It is designed to help NGOs improve their ability to write compelling business plans to attract funding from a new stream of non-traditional donors, funders, and investors. Eight teams from family planning and reproductive health organizations in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Peru, and Honduras will participate in this program.


East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community Wins $1 Million Grant for Fostering Change
January 27, 2010

The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community won a Money Well Spent grant from the TIDES Foundation to work in fostering change in reproductive health/family planning in their 10 member countries. This grant will extend the work that begun in July 2009 with a five-country workshop on fostering change co-facilitated by MSH and WHO that was funded by Johnson and Johnson.


Consensus Workshop Held in Southern Sudan to Finalize National Family Planning Policy
January 27, 2010

From April to November, 2009, LMS supported the Southern Sudan Ministry of Health by placing a consultant with the Reproductive Health Unit. Over this time, a draft national Family Planning Policy was developed with input and feedback of key Ministry staff given in series of technical review panels. On November 23, MSH’s Sudan Health Transformation Project II supported a Consensus Workshop to review the draft Policy with the participation of roughly 50 people from the Ministry of Health, other branches of the government, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and private clinics and pharmacies. Over the two-day review, participants discussed the situation in the country with regard to family planning and made detailed recommendations on the content of the policy document. Local NGOs noted that for the first time their voices were heard on this topic. LMS finalized the Family Planning Policy, which has been adopted by the Ministry while awaiting formal approval by Parliament.


National Results Workshop Held for Teams Completing the LDP in Kenya
January 12, 2010

In August 2009, 365 health managers comprising 83 teams from the Ministry of Medical Services (MOMS) and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) completed the Leadership Development Program (LDP) in Kenya. The teams represented district level staff from Central, Coast, Eastern, Nyanza and Rift Valley Province. 12 teams, selected by their peers and facilitators, presented their achievements at a National Results Workshop in Nairobi on August 27. Their achievements include increasing child immunization rates, increasing the number of family planning clients, increasing the number of births in health facilities, and decreasing waiting time at a district hospital. The Minister of Medical Services, Dr Anyang Nyang’o, opened the workshop and the Director of MOPHS and other high level Ministry officials were in attendance. In addition, Dr. Kiambati, from the MOMS, officially launched the Report on Management and Leadership Development Gaps for Kenya Health Managers, which was developed and written with the support of LMS-Kenya.


Global Exchange Network Highlight’s USAID Family Planning Publication
January 12, 2010

The Global Exchange Network for Reproductive Health (GEN) collaborated with the USAID|DELIVER PROJECT and Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) to deliver a forum to highlight the USAID publication Contraceptive Security Ready Lessons II, 7: Fostering Public-Private Collaboration for Improved Access in December, 2009. During the three-day event, 137 people from 45 countries logged into the forum and the publication was downloaded 53 times (23 in English, 18 in French, and 12 in Spanish). Discussions among participants focused on the role of contraceptive security committees, advances in implementing a policy framework to guarantee and regulate the provision of family planning services, challenges in guaranteeing the stewardship role of the public sector, and concerns about the quality of medicines in the commercial sector. The event was facilitated with partners from the USAID|DELIVER PROJECT and SHOPS. A total of 18 participants contributed 59 posts to the discussion board, with 94% reporting in the post forum evaluation that they found the publication and discussions “Useful” or “Very Useful” to their work. This event is the second in a series of three highlights. The next will take place in May 2010 and highlight Contraceptive Security Ready Lessons II, 8: Expanding Contraceptive Choice through Support for Underutilized Methods.


Family Planning Program in Haiti Launches
January 12, 2010

In August 2009, LMS worked with the Women’s League of Cité Soleil to launch a training program on community distribution of family planning commodities, with the goal of increasing contraceptive prevalence in Haiti’s poorest areas. By December, this new program had directly reached more than 10,000 community members thanks to the large network of community-based distribution agents and agent supervisors recruited through the Women’s League. Of the women reached, 2,000 of them accepted condoms and 400 accepted other methods. Much of this outreach was made possible by the agents referring clients to the LMS-funded Youth Center in Cité Soleil, operated by FOSREF.


University in Uganda Integrating LMS Material into Its Curricula
December 22, 2009

Recognizing the need for pre-service training in leadership and management for health professionals, the Faculty of Medicine of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in southern Uganda is integrating an exciting new curriculum into the medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory sciences departments. MSH began collaborating with the faculty in August 2006 to integrate leadership development into the Faculty’s Leadership and Community Placement program. In late October 2009 the Faculty Board approved the Leadership and Management curriculum design for immediate implementation. It was then given unreserved approval by the University Senate in November 2009. Beginning in May 2010 health managers in 15 health center sites in southwestern Uganda associated with the Leadership and Community Placement program will teach the medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory science students how to address challenges faced at the health centers using the eight Leadership and Management practices.


Successful Launch of Leadership Program in DRC
December 15, 2009

LMS launched a Leadership Development Program (LDP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September 2009 to strengthen local capacity in the management of primary health care services. A five-day facilitator training workshop was held in Kinshasa for 12 local facilitators—seven from LMS and five from the Ministry of Health. At the end of September the first workshop began with five teams from the Mwene Ditu health district of Kasai Oriental Province, and covered core leading and managing practices and the Challenge Model. One participant noted how he learned how to change his work climate with simple methods. The facilitators are scaling up the program to cover the three more clusters of health zones around Luiza, Kole, and Tshumbe, and the LDP will continue through April 2010.


LMS/Haiti Honors World AIDS Day
December 15, 2009

In recognition of World AIDS Day, LMS/Haiti supported two local events. With a donation to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, LMS/Haiti funded the production of posters, banners and 50,000 fliers for a local awareness and prevention campaign under the theme “Stop AIDS! Everyone has the same rights,” an adaptation of this year’s global theme, “Universal Access and Human Rights.” In addition, LMS/Haiti participated in a two-day symposium organized by the Platform of Haitian Associations of People Living with HIV/AIDS, which culminated in the annual National March for Equality and Respect for Human Rights on November 29. The march attracted nearly 5,000 people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. LMS has been working with the Ministry of Public Health and local organizations for the past two years to better coordinate community mobilization activities and strengthen HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention initiatives.


The PEPFAR Health Professional Fellowship Program in Nigeria is rated ‘excellent’ and exceeds all expectations at the Gombe Federal Hospital Centre
December 15, 2009

Nurse Amina Jafun was a fellow of the first PEPFAR/MSH Fellowship program in Nigeria in 2008. On her return to work, following Fellowship training, the Chief Medical Director of Gombe Federal Hospital Centre noticed a significant improvement in her capabilities and attitude, so much so that he investigated what had prompted this enhancement in her work. In 2009 he invited MSH to train his entire staff in attitudinal and culture change. This training took place in Gombe in November and focused on service and professionalism for clients. So far 111 health professionals have participated and they have created a shared vision improving service at their hospital. In a confidential survey 100% of the participants rated the training as ‘excellent’, ‘exceeding expectations’ and ‘most useful’. Ensuring good service and the methods communication with patients were among the important and useful skills being taught. On the second day of training a number of participants commented that they had already implemented skills learned on day one with very positive results. One participant said, “This training has given me guiding principles for my work that will mean better service for clients.”


LMS Begins Study in Nigeria on Integrating HIV/AIDS programs with Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health
December 15, 2009

In partnership with Niger and Taraba States, ProACT, the LMS project in Nigeria, has launched a baseline study to assess how best to integrate family planning and maternal and child health with HIV/AIDS services. These services currently run as separate programs in Nigeria, often in different locations and facilities. Client care is fragmented and clients are divided between departments that rarely communicate with one another. The partnership aims to integrate these services to ensure increased utilization and effectiveness, as well as a reduction in transmission of HIV/AIDS. Research into the National and state policies and operational guidelines on reproductive health and family planning is being combined with primary data collection at state health facilities and communities. This study seeks to identify consumer health behavior patterns, system resources, and the climate needed to enable effective integration. These findings will inform the strategic planning and practice of integrated care.


LMS Program in Nigeria Supports Development of National Multi-Sector HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Plan for 2010 – 2015
December 15, 2009

The Nigerian government requested LMS technical support at a national and state level in order to guide the process of development of the National Strategic Framework and National plan for HIV/AIDS. USAID, through MSH, has provided essential funding at a federal level to support the strategic planning process. The results of this collaboration to identify the needs and priorities each state are already having an effect. The Niger State strategic plan, supported by LMS, was adopted as the National model for the issue of‘ ‘Treatment and Care’. NACA praised USAID and MSH for its service in facilitating the National Strategic Framework and Plan for Nigeria. Dr. Ezekiel James, the LMS Adamawa State Team Leader, reported that “the Niger SACA plan was viewed as one of the best among all states…the thematic area of Treatment and Care was adopted as the model for the entire country, this thematic area was essentially handled by the MSH team.”
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