OVERVIEW
Primary health care (PHC) is the foundation of a strong health system and is critical to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), enhancing health security, and fostering healthier communities. PHC performance management represents a crucial process toward strengthening PHC systems and realizing better health outcomes for communities.
District health management teams (DHMTs) in Bugesera and Gicumbi districts of Rwanda have selected to participate in the multi-year PHC Leadership Development Program (PHC-LDP) as part of the PHC Performance Management Activity, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The PHC-LDP, characterized by experiential learning and performance management, aims to empower DHMTs to improve leadership and management practices, identify and tackle challenges within the health system, and achieve measurable results through increased PHC system performance and enhanced health outcomes.
APPROACH
This activity will promote a locally led and sustainable path toward improved PHC performance in line with the goals and objectives of the Ministry of Health of Rwanda. Active participation in the PHC-LDP will equip DHMTs with the necessary leadership and management skills to establish and realize a shared vision for strengthening PHC in their districts.
Leveraging routine operational data and available catalytic grant funding, DHMTs will implement and routinely monitor progress toward their results-oriented PHC action plans that will evolve over time based on continuous learning.
KEY ACTIVITIES
This activity consists of four main components
Data dashboards
Co-designed, integrated data dashboards will be developed using routine data through the Rwanda Health Analytics Platform (RHAP), a data integration and advanced analytics platform developed with the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). DHMTs will utilize these dashboards to identify and track key PHC indicators, informing operational decisions and action plans.
PHC-LDP and Challenge Model
This six-month action-planning process will bolster DHMT leadership, management, and governance practices and use available resources to improve PHC performance. DHMTs will receive ongoing mentoring and coaching to review data dashboards and identify key priorities, actions, and needed resources. DHMTs will regularly monitor action plan progress, address obstacles, and make adaptations to their performance improvement approach.
Catalytic grant funding
Financial payments (paid as fixed obligation grants) will be provided to DHMTs, facilitating the implementation of their targeted action plans and promoting active PHC-LDP participation and reporting. DHMTs have full autonomy on fund execution, ensuring compliance with the activities outlined in their action plan.
Continuous inter- and intra-district learning
Collaborative learning during the LDP process will involve DHMTs routinely identifying and sharing challenges and best practices for PHC performance management. The activity will also foster cross-district collaboration, culminating in a national learning workshop.