Does Management Really Matter? And If so, to Who?: Comment on "Management Matters: A Leverage Point for Health Systems Strengthening in Global Health".

Delanyo Dovlo

doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2015.204

Abstract

The editorial is commendable and I agree with many of the points raised. Management is an important aspect of health system strengthening which is often overlooked. In order to build the capacity of management, we need to consider other factors such as, the environment within which managers work, their numbers, support systems and distribution. Effective leadership is an issue which cannot be overemphasized as part of management capacity in resource deprived settings as difficult settings require leadership skills in order to achieve managerial success. A primary issue of importance highlighted in the editorial is country ownership of management effectiveness initiatives, which may be very difficult when the health sector is dependent on support and funding from donors and influential partners, who drive change often without a good understanding of the context. How partners finance health programmes is another dilemma as it can distract from locally determined priorities. Further research should help us to understand better what works and under different settings.

Highlights

The editorial is quite well-written and delivers the right core messages.[1]
It should be clear to policy-makers that many countries that are not able to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), have major failings in management and in accountability for results
While the three considerations of requisite core competencies, personnel targets for management capacity building, and strengthening research, supporting the role of management in improving health system performance, that the author puts forward to develop a robust field of global health management are useful; there is a need to examine closely the environment and context within which managers work, their numbers and distribution, as well as available support systems, because achieving the desired outcomes is unlikely when one factor is strengthened without the others.[3]

Summary

Introduction

The editorial is quite well-written and delivers the right core messages.[1] It has raised very important issues on a critical aspect of health systems functioning that has undermined health services performance especially in lowincome settings – management; and I am in agreement.

Results

Conclusion