This week began with a frenzy of meetings and trips to the counties. One of the key steps in building capacity is seeking stakeholder buy-in. The recipients have to buy in to the principles before we begin building capacity and strengthen the health system. Stakeholder participation is key!
In my efforts to strengthen the Liberian health system, I am committed to build capacity at both central ministry and the county health department level. I have already made the rounds at the ministry, having met with the key deputy ministers, assistant ministers, and senior management. I presented my strategy and won them over. I have also convinced non-ministry stakeholders - USAID, NGOs, and EU - to support and participate in my efforts. This week I am focusing on county heath departments. I just returned from a trip to Bong and Nimba counties where I met with the County Health Officers and their teams.
The two counties were polar opposites. While the county health team (CHT) at Bong was unresponsive, aloof, and nonchalant, the team at Nimba was active, participatory, and invested. A sea of change. Our project (RBHS) is well entrenched in to the Nimba county health system. See picture below. Our County Coordinator and the County Health Department Director (CHDD) share the same office space. That shows how well we work with the ministry at county level. Perhaps Bong could use the same level of involvement in order to become more invested in our efforts. It's on my to-do list.
It is always challenging for an outsider to get local stakeholder buy-in, especially when you are someone like me. But I like the challenge. It allows me to prove myself and gain the trust of stakeholders in the process. I am sure I am not the only one who experiences this phenomenon. The new person is always tested, especially if s/he is an expat. It is part of the game, and I like a good game. The situation gets worse when the new guy is promoted within less than two months on the job. While it is frustrating to deal with such petty drama, it also makes me stronger and more invested in doing what I came here for.
I am going to visit the remaining county (Lofa) this week. I am traveling with my staff to a town called Voinjama, which is less than an hour away from Guinea. Too bad I cannot cross in to Guinea... I need a visa. I do not have enough time to get a Guinean visa before leaving on this trip. Next time!!
I ate at a Bangladeshi restaurant during my trip to Bong and Nimba counties. We stopped in a town called Gbarnga (pronounced - banga) to eat at this restaurant called Mama Zone's. The name struck me as strange, especially for a restaurant run by a Bangladeshi man, but I guess they are trying to blend in to the Liberian society. I came to know the restaurant exists in Gbarnga because there is a big Bangla UN military contingent nearby. Word on the street is that there are around 2000 Bangladeshi military personnel as part of the massive UN military presence in Liberia. You cannot just walk in to Mama Zone's and order Bangladeshi food, you have to order it an hour in advance. They prepare according to demand. The Liberian food, however, is readily available. We called ahead and had chicken curry. It was quite mediocre, even a disappointment. As wonderful as it is to see non-Liberian food in the middle of the country, it is disappointing when the food is not good. Lesson learned! Next time I will stick to potato greens and fish.
More to come later this week...my trip to Lofa, other happenings at work, and more importantly, food!!
In my efforts to strengthen the Liberian health system, I am committed to build capacity at both central ministry and the county health department level. I have already made the rounds at the ministry, having met with the key deputy ministers, assistant ministers, and senior management. I presented my strategy and won them over. I have also convinced non-ministry stakeholders - USAID, NGOs, and EU - to support and participate in my efforts. This week I am focusing on county heath departments. I just returned from a trip to Bong and Nimba counties where I met with the County Health Officers and their teams.
The two counties were polar opposites. While the county health team (CHT) at Bong was unresponsive, aloof, and nonchalant, the team at Nimba was active, participatory, and invested. A sea of change. Our project (RBHS) is well entrenched in to the Nimba county health system. See picture below. Our County Coordinator and the County Health Department Director (CHDD) share the same office space. That shows how well we work with the ministry at county level. Perhaps Bong could use the same level of involvement in order to become more invested in our efforts. It's on my to-do list.
 |
| Integration between the County Health Department (CHD) and our project (RBHS) |
It is always challenging for an outsider to get local stakeholder buy-in, especially when you are someone like me. But I like the challenge. It allows me to prove myself and gain the trust of stakeholders in the process. I am sure I am not the only one who experiences this phenomenon. The new person is always tested, especially if s/he is an expat. It is part of the game, and I like a good game. The situation gets worse when the new guy is promoted within less than two months on the job. While it is frustrating to deal with such petty drama, it also makes me stronger and more invested in doing what I came here for.
I am going to visit the remaining county (Lofa) this week. I am traveling with my staff to a town called Voinjama, which is less than an hour away from Guinea. Too bad I cannot cross in to Guinea... I need a visa. I do not have enough time to get a Guinean visa before leaving on this trip. Next time!!
I ate at a Bangladeshi restaurant during my trip to Bong and Nimba counties. We stopped in a town called Gbarnga (pronounced - banga) to eat at this restaurant called Mama Zone's. The name struck me as strange, especially for a restaurant run by a Bangladeshi man, but I guess they are trying to blend in to the Liberian society. I came to know the restaurant exists in Gbarnga because there is a big Bangla UN military contingent nearby. Word on the street is that there are around 2000 Bangladeshi military personnel as part of the massive UN military presence in Liberia. You cannot just walk in to Mama Zone's and order Bangladeshi food, you have to order it an hour in advance. They prepare according to demand. The Liberian food, however, is readily available. We called ahead and had chicken curry. It was quite mediocre, even a disappointment. As wonderful as it is to see non-Liberian food in the middle of the country, it is disappointing when the food is not good. Lesson learned! Next time I will stick to potato greens and fish.
More to come later this week...my trip to Lofa, other happenings at work, and more importantly, food!!
Wow, you're really taking on a great cause Vamsi! Keep us in the loop-very good work! Sue Paulsen :)
ReplyDelete