The Need for Effective Management in African Health Systems

Abstract

Effective health management is critical at every level of African health systems in order to improve services and in turn the current poor health situation in many countries. Specialized professional training equips health-care workers for clinical services, but is limited in preparing them for the management of complex health care systems and organizations. Health management involves technical and social processes for achieving health objectives through effective and efficient use of health resources in view of social, economic, political and cultural realities. Basic functions expected of African health managers include health policy analysis and formulation, health planning, organizing, implementing, leading, coordinating, controlling, monitoring and evaluating services. Health managers at primary, secondary and tertiary levels require additional specialist training in health management to acquire knowledge and skills needed for effective and efficient management of complex health-care organizations. This, in turn, facilitates application of tested theories, systematic approaches and best practices in addressing the health needs of the people. Objective This article advocates effective health-care management in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, health goals of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, national health goals and to promote quality in health care, equity and justice. These culminate in improving health of the people and changing the poor health indices. It also outlines, in brief, the basic functions expected of African health managers and concludes by advocating health-management training for strategic, departmental and operational managers at different levels in the health system. Method I wrote this article based on literature review, experience working with federal and state ministries of health in Nigeria and anecdotal reports from senior health officials and public health students.