Final evaluation report : Agency for International Development matching grant PDC-0276-G-SS-6126-00 to the African Medical Research Foundation for distance teaching and health planning and management programs

The project was implemented by the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF). Both components were successful in improving the supervisory, management, and service delivery skills of health care professionals. AMREF"s Distance Teaching Unit (DTU) exceeded its objectives, developing ten new courses and adapting five others, producing 191 radio programs and 38 audio cassettes, conducting numerous demonstrations in clinical skills and management, conducting 5 audio/radio production workshops for Ministry of Health (MOH) officials, and providing the latter with consultations on distance teaching programs. Through its dedicated and highly qualified staff, the DTU generated wider acceptance of distance teaching as an effective training strategy for health workers. Course enrollment increased dramatically, reaching a total of more than 5,000 health workers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Sudan during the life of the project. Participants surveyed were satisfied with the program and feel that their job performance and professional status improved as a result. They also indicated satisfaction with the radio programs and written materials provided, as well as the written and personal contacts with tutors. The second component also achieved significant accomplishments. AMREF established a Health Planning and Management Unit (HPMU) of well trained and experienced personnel, who functioned well as an interdisciplinary team. Achievements of the Unit included: training of all 40 district health management teams in Kenya in the preparation of annual health plans; the development of learning materials and guidelines in planning and management for MOH"s and PVO"s; 13 consultancies in Kenya and Uganda; 5 health systems research projects; and provision of technical inputs to AMREF"s own projects. HPMU"s collaboration with local institutions contributed to a climate of willingness to accept and adapt modern management practices. Sustainability of both components is augured by the fact that AMREF is perceived as a valued resource throughout the region at all levels of the health delivery chain. Since both the DTU and the HPMU focus on management issues, it is recommended that in future they collaborate in this area to their mutual improvement. Numerous more specific recommendations are made.