TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PROVISION OF MEL SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT (HWM) ACTIVITIES IN HWM PROJECT FOCUS STATES
As part of an effort towards effectively planning and implementation for the HWM project, the MEL Officers across the 4 states and FCT participated in the year 4 HWM pause and reflect meeting which was held in Zuma Rock Resorts, Niger State.
The MEL Officers in the focus states are responsible for providing technical assistance and MEL support to the health workforce management activities in the focus states as detailed in the implementation work plan.
The activity provided an opportunity for the team to critically evaluate the implementation strategies, identify lessons learned, adapt, and improve implementation based on leanings. It also helped in identifying opportunities for reprogramming on the HWM project. Additionally, the meeting enabled HWM to review the changes in the operating environment.
Across the states, the MEL Offices were engaged in the cross-cutting implementation of key activities between April and July, some of which include:
- Presentation of a School Management System (SMS) by the FCT MEL Officer and other HWM team members to the FCT College of Nursing Sciences as part of the efforts to provide technical assistance for the implementation of the recently revised nursing and midwifery curricula. The SMS is an electronic platform that tracks tutors' attendance and performance of assigned sessions according to the work plan.
- A two-day workshop on the review of the Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) for Pre-Service Health Training Institutions (PSHTIs) in Sokoto State aimed at providing participants with valuable insights, knowledge, and practical solutions to drive quality improvement in their respective schools. The workshop fostered collaboration, shared best practices, and introduced new initiatives to support the school.
- Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings aimed at strengthening the HRH planning, coordination, leadership, and management in Bauchi state, during which the integrated Human Resources Information System (iHRIS) local instance (5.0) was launched.
- Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) review workshop, which aimed to support PSHTIs with a two-day bi-annual review meeting of the ISPs and staff retention guidelines to promote cross-learning, healthy competition, and facilitate ISP implementation in Ebonyi state.
- Assessment of the PSHTI's implementation of examination support strategy in Kebbi, as a response to the reported pass rate for colleges of health technology from last month, which is aimed at better understanding the actions the institutions have taken to improve the pass rate.
The Health Workforce Management (HWM) activity is a 5-year Task Order, under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), implemented by Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL). It aims to establish a cost-effective, well-trained, and motivated health workforce, particularly in the targeted rural and remote areas in Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Sokoto, and the FCT.