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There are several areas of work, and a number of
strategies linking the above fields to support work towards the health-related
UN millennium development goals. Health system policies and service
delivery span a large support spectrum, especially basic health
services and primary health care. This entails key training and
in-service support at different levels of the health system and for different
types of health staff serving in the field. In addition, the management
effectiveness programme has been launched by
the Ministry of Health with technical and financial support from WHO. The overall objective of this approach is to
bring together central, state-divisional and township levels to work together
as a team to identify and develop management systems needed to improve
delivery of basic health services.
Health information, evidence and research policy aims
to support strengthened national health information systems. Communicable
disease research supports the development of tools -- as well as
implementation research -- in selected public health problems. Promotion of essential
drugs and medicines remains another important priority. Support towards
adoption and implementation of a national drugs policy is key in this regard.
In the area health financing and social protection,
technical and financial support is being provided in the development of national
health accounts. Support towards developing options for possible social
health insurance is a further vital objective.
In the field of human resources for health – the
theme of World health day 2006 ‘working together for heath’ – key
programmatic and capacity building support is being made available through
WHO collaborative programmes. Special emphasis will
be placed on public health education and practice, through planning,
preparatory and implementation support. The recently established WHO
collaborating centre for nursing and midwifery will focus on curriculum
development and training programmes, for township
health nurses, nursing and midwifery educators (in a range of fields), and
training of trainers for community health nursing.
In addition, support is provided to assist hospital
management and medical care provision. Furthermore, multi-country
activities will be initiated as appropriate in the above fields,
recognizing that some aspects of WHO collaborative programmes
are addressed more effectively by two or more countries working together,
rather than by individual countries alone.
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