Dear BMAF Well Wishers,

As we are approaching the end of year 2007, I am delighted to inform all BMAF well wishers, my gratitude for having your support and guidance in different ways, throughout the year.

Having joined the Foundation in November 2006, I had several ideas on ways of building the organization in terms of its creation of institutional systems; programme implementation; partnership building and networking.

Indeed much has been done this year with the support from BMAF GOVERNING BODIES; that is from the Settler of the Foundation himself, His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa; the Board of Registered Trustees under the chairmanship of Hon (Dr). Hussein Ali Mwinyi and the Board of Directors under the chair of Dr. Deo Mtasiwa. The support and strong partnership with the GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA both in Mainland and Zanzibar through its respective Ministries of Health & Social Welfare ( MOHSW), Prime Ministers Office Regional Administration and Local Government (in Mainland) and Ministry of Finance has been a valuable aspect that have contributed to the successful take off of the Foundations work. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS support such as Norway Government, Clinton Foundation together with collaborations provided from various Non Governmental and Private sector is well appreciated by our institution.

Dear colleagues,

I do believe by having strong institutional structure and systems, it will always lead to better implementation and monitoring of various programmes under the Foundation. Therefore during this year we acquired an OFFICE SPACE which was equipped and made functional to accommodate its fourteen ( 14) HEAD OFFICE PERSONNEL that were successfully recruited.

We have further developed the Foundations identity by defining our LOGO as well as enhancing its visibility and communication through WEBSITE development. Moreover, during year 2007, the Foundation developed its FINANCIAL REGULATIONS and is in final stage of approving its procurement regulations and human resource guidelines.
To enhance accountability and good governance, we have established a TENDER BOARD and we are currently having our first STATUTORY AUDIT FOR FY 2006/7 carried out by the National Auditors office; whereby its results are expected to guide us better in improving our internal systems.

Dear colleagues,
To define our vision, mission and priority areas for support in the coming five years, we have developed a FIVE YEARS STRATEGIC PLAN (2008- 2012) which will be a guidance to our work. The three broad priority areas defined are on Institutional capacity building; Human Resource for Health and HIV & AIDS prevention, care and treatment, whereas these areas are further subdivided into specific core areas.

As you may be aware the Foundation was established after the initiation of the Mkapa Fellows Programme thus the organizational structure by then was geared to serve one programme only. As we find ourselves expanding and having additional programme we had to REVIEW OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE that will align to the BMAF five years strategic plan. This is an ongoing work through an external consulting firm.

Dear Colleagues,

In terms of programmatic aspects under the Foundation, we had proceeded RECRUITING AND DEPLOYING 69 HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (FELLOWS) of various cadres ranging from Doctors, Nurses, Lab and Pharmaceutical officers. The 69 fellows join the team of other 30 Fellows recruited in July 2006. Having a total of 99 fellows working in 33 rural districts under the supervision and guidance of the District Executive Directors and District Medical Officers; we at head office have been providing continuous support in terms of their incentive packages and advises on administrative, financial and programmatic matters.

Generally, the District authorities/officials have been very supportive in the programme and this has been contributed by the good awareness and understanding on the niche of the programme to the existing shortage of health professionals in their respective districts. However, still the INTENSIVE ORIENTATION provided to them jointly with the regional officials and Fellows, had an added value to district officials accepting and owning the programme.

To strengthen the district support in up-scaling HIV/AIDS services to lower health facilities and nearer to the community, we have provided CATALYTIC FUNDS TO THE DISTRICT with Mkapa Fellows that has enabled transportation of blood samples from districts to regional hospitals; conducting HIV/AIDS outreach services and supportive supervision to lower levels. For some difficult districts, we have extended our support by installing solar power system to Kilindi district, ordered/procured three Four Wheel Drive for the districts of Simanjiro, Micheweni and Kilindi and renovating staff house in Micheweni.

Dear Colleagues,

To enhance skills building among Fellows and the district managers, we provided TRAINING ON HIV/AIDS CARE AND TREATMENT SKILLS, HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND USE OF HIV/AIDS INFORMATION/DATA by using IT modalities. This was made possible through collaboration with the MOHSW-National AIDS Control programme & Directorate of Human Resource Development, National Zonal Training Centres, Mzumbe Management University, University of Dar Es Salaam and other partners as Family Health International and Walter Reeds Department of Defense.

We have further been able to provide CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSIONS on HIV/AIDS related matter to the Fellows by building their skills in HIV/AIDS workplace intervention, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS, New HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation tool, HIV/AIDS Rural Initiative, Home Based Care, Voluntary Counseling and Testing, Presentation skills and Infant Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. This was made possible through collaborating with NACP, Clinton Foundation, AMREF, COSTENUTH and independent consultants.

To enhance the information technology services in the districts we have INSTALLED INTERNET VSAT TYPE FACILITIES TO 19 DISTRICTS that initially did not have such services. With the internet in place we have been able to communicate much easier with the districts and Fellows, as it’s being used for submission of HIV/AIDS data to MOHSW and other respective areas. We have further introduced and encouraged On-line Continuing Education Professional Development among the Fellows and other health workers.

Dear colleagues,

Due to the good progress shown through the implementation of Mkapa Fellows Programme, the MOHSW subcontracted us to provide technical and administrative support to a more or less similar initiative known as the EMERGENCY HIRING PROJECT ( EHP) which is financially supported by the Global Fund to fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). From the project, we were able to recruit 176 health staff that were deployed to 19 rural districts with aim of scaling up HIV & AIDS Care and treatment services. To ensure provision of comprehensive support on HRH at the district level through the said EHP, our institution had to collaborate with an International NGO named INTRAHEALTH-CAPACITY PROJECT, that support building district capacity on HRH planning and management.

To ensure we understand how the EHP hires & Mkapa Fellows were received in the districts, how they have been functioning, a FIELD VISIT was conducted to 8 districts.. Findings have enabled us plan better our support to the programme, solicit more support from partners and inform the policy level.

We have been as well proactive in supporting the national events which fall under our scope of business such as provision of technical and financial support to the NATIONAL HIV TESTING CAMPAIGN; our support extended from the central level to the districts level where fellows and EHP new hires are located. We have actively participated in the NATIONAL AND POLICY FORUMS such as Health Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) Annual meeting; MOHSW SWAP Technical committee and HRH Working Group; through which by our participation we provided technical support and feedback on HRH and HIV & AIDS matters observed on the ground through the two programme.

To assess the Mkapa Fellows programme performance, a MIDTERM REVIEW OF THE MKAPA FELLOWS PROGRAMME has been carried by independent national consultant. Preliminary findings were shared during the first STAKEHOLDERS ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING held in October 2007. This was followed by a joint annual review meeting between Government of Norway and Tanzania held in November 2007 to discuss matters related to Mkapa Fellows Programme, whereby the programme is principally to be supported until end of 2010.

Dear Colleagues,

CHALLENGES observed in the year 2007 were mainly due to increased demand for initiating, building and strengthening our institution whilst at the same time implement the two huge demanding programme of the Mkapa Fellows Programme and EHP. Other challenges experienced is the operational and programme health system constraints at the district level, of which the enthusiastic Fellows and EHP hires encounter at that level.

However as we proceed FOR THE YEAR 2008, we envisage to better improve the monitoring and documentation of the two programmes which among other things is to enhance the involvement and role of the regional health management team. In addition, we are geared to define explicitly as an operational plan, the three priority areas identified in the 5 years strategic plan. This will give more room to the Foundation advancing its mission and identified goals in more practical manner. Furthermore, this will entail the BMAF management to actively mobilize resources from potential avenues within the country and internationally to implement the strategic plan and complement the national efforts towards HRH and HIV & AIDS.

Last but not least, I would like to recognize the endless efforts and support provided by the WHOLE BMAF HEAD OFFICE TEAM that has been working tirelessly without limitations on building this institution to ensure provision of quality services. Much is appreciated on their team support that has made my leadership less complex and an exciting ground to grow together.

May I finally wish you all a blessed Christmas and a successful New year 2008.

Warm regards,

Dr. Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro
Chief Executive Officer

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