This piece was published on PATHS2 page in August 2012. Enjoy.
I’m a graduate student of the University Of Kentucky College Of Public Health in United States. I’m studying for a Certificate in Global Health and Masters in Public Health with concentration in Health Services Management. I did my summer internship at Partnership for Transforming Health Systems phase 2 (PATHS2) country office in Abuja, Nigeria.
Prior to the commencement of my graduate studies, I had a one year experience working on implementation of the Health System Strengthening project of Global Fund with focus on HIV/AIDS, Sexual & Reproductive Health, Tuberculosis (HAST) and Malaria.
I wanted a different experience during my practicum and PATHS2 provided that. Being aware that PATHS2 project being implemented by a consortium of 5 different organizations led by Abt Associates; my interest was in learning how they all work together to manage the project successfully. The experience was awesome, I must confess.
I worked directly with the Service Delivery Team at a very important period of the project when PATHS2 was preparing for annual review as well as development and costing of the Year 4 Work Plan of the project. I participated and prepared the report on a technical meeting to review the service delivery component of the project.
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| My Supervisors - Dr Amina Aminu and Dr Sam Usman |
The 2-day meeting improved my understanding of project management and report writing skills. Although the project has same output/outcome indicators and targets, I was excited to learn how the implementation strategies varied from state to state (factoring in the people’s culture, religious belief, and some other peculiar circumstances etc) to bring about lots of success stories already recorded. The supportive supervision from Bethesda headquarters office of Abt Associates and the cooperation/ team spirit demonstrated by all the partners including DFID were amazing.
In my Health Economics class, I learnt about the management of scarce resources to get optimal value in service delivery and I learnt how PATHS2 uses the principles to get maximal value for money. I observed a technical meeting on the financing of the project, value for money for activities already executed was demonstrated and costing of the work plan for the subsequent year done. I may not be able to aptly express the impact of that meeting on me, but I have no doubt that the experience has enhanced my management skills.
PATHS2 focuses on strengthening health systems and improving the maternal, child and new born health services to reduce Nigeria’s unenviable high maternal and infant mortality rate. With the support of PATHS2, the free MNCH programme of Jigawa state government is being implemented in a cost-effective manner with satisfactory outcome.
The emergency transport scheme has brought about lots of success stories in Kano; ongoing partnership with private sector in Lagos is expanding the availability of good quality services and the support to DRF system in Enugu has solved problem of stock-outs in supported cluster facilities. Apart from advocating for the sustenance of the gains of the project, PATHS2 is also making deliberate and targeted efforts to persuade government to replicate her model in the non-cluster facilities. I consider that awesomely good.
PATHS2 has very dedicated and lovely staff; I enjoyed my time with the organization and cherish the experience and new skills I acquired. My supervisors - Dr Amina Aminu and Dr Sam Usman were awesome. My only regret is not having more time to work on the project as I have to return to Kentucky to complete my studies. I will miss the jokes of Dr Mike Egboh, the National Program Manager.
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| PATHS2 Country office Service Delivery Team |
