Background

Experiences and studies revealed that individuals and communities seek health services only if the services are of good quality. Quality health services are primarily products of quality human resources invested in health. Shortage of qualified staff, especially at woreda health offices and health facilities, is a major contributor to poor health status indices. Current health staff require in-service training to update and improve their knowledge and skill. They require enabling sytems for better performance, such as well-defined service standards and performance feedback through monitoring and technical support.

ESHE's Performance Improvement (PI) component works on strengthening the health system and staff capacity to respond to improved child health.

Approaches

• Build regional capacity to provide training; focus on cost-effective approaches
• Establish quality standards for health worker performance
• Strengthen monitoring and supervisory system and practices at the regional and woreda levels
• Improve use of data for decision making an improved HMIS