Emergency Hiring project had deployed a total of 176 health workers posted to 19 rural districts in the country. The first phase consisting of 121 staff reported in August 2007, while 55 were posted in October 2007. Of all posted (176), 100% successfully reported. The project has however, due to local and systemic challenges, socioeconomic reasons and death, lost approximately 10% of its staff. Lessons and interviews done to the drop outs have been used in trying to address some of the bottlenecks identified, currently done through Partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Local Government authorities.
Emergency Hiring project has had a number of successes since project inception, of which, after completion of the postings, the project has among others, done the following;
Provided technical support to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in reviewing the human resources for health supportive supervision tool. The final tool will later be incorporated into the National Supportive supervision Guideline of the MOHSW. This exercise had technical inputs provided by Mkapa Foundation and Capacity Project of IntraHealth International.
The Foundation in collaboration with the MOHSW and Regional Health Teams conducted field visits to 14 (73.6%) EHP districts where re-orientation to project goals was made and information on progress, and challenges faced was discussed between District officials, Regional teams, the MOHSW representatives and Hires themselves.
BMAF in collaboration with Capacity Project and MOHSW, had trained Regional Officials from the 19 respective EHP districts on HRH management using a HRH Management tool kit developed under the technical support of Capacity Project. Mkapa Foundation and Capacity Project are looking forward to have Regional teams oriented on the final HRH supportive supervision tool, so that they supervise HRH matters at district level in much comprehensive manner.
The strengthening of HRH planning and management at district level, primarily handled by Capacity Project supports in improving the work environment of Health workforce in all 19 EHP districts.
The Foundation through collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania, and other Partners has began operational researches in areas relevant to EHP and HRH matters so as to have its findings shared by other members of the public and the policy at large. Studies will aim at critically looking on what EHP contributes through the 176 Hires posed in the 19 districts.
The Foundation is now filling gaps of those who dropped out, but again critically looking at intrinsic and extrinsic reasons contributing to retention bottlenecks. As a team with other HRH stakeholders, the Foundation is also a key player among Partners in addressing some of the push factors (if not pull) facing the Health workforce posted in all hard to reach districts of the country.
There has been a commendable improvement in HIV/AIDS Care and treatment and other related services offered to selected districts implementing the EHP.
- By 31st May 2008, Clients enrolled on Care and Treatment country wide were 314,381(adults - 288,150; children -26,231); whereby 31,668 (10%) clients are served in 19 EHP districts.
- A total of 160,293 clients have been started on ARTs countrywide. (Adults - 142,224: Children - 13,044). Of these, 14,906 (9.3%) are from districts under the EHP.
- Generally the trend of clients' enrolment has been higher which calls for more efforts to have those eligible for treatment have their status initiated on Anti Retroviral drugs.
Mr. Msangi, an EHP Pharmacist in Kilosa District Hospital attending to a client
