1. Lecture 15: Partnerships for Health Dr J. I. Sitali
MPH 541
Lecture 15:
Partnerships for Health
Dr J. I. Sitali

2. Lecture Outline Key definitions. Policy background.
Advantages of collaboration.
Stakeholders in Promoting Health.

3. Key Definitions
Partnership refers to joint action between partners (national, local & the public). It implies equal sharing of power.
Service agreements and contracts between partners set out mutual responsibilities for improving health.

4. Key Definitions
Multiagency refers to organizations that belong to the same sector such as health, social services, or education who are all statutory providers of public services.
Intersectoral goes beyond any one sector and may include public, private (business and commerce) and voluntary groups.

5. Key Definitions
Inter- or multidisciplinary working is sometimes used to describe joint working of people with different roles or functions within the same organization or across sectors.
Joint planning – organizations within or across sectors agree objectives, and meet regularly to develop and implement a joint plan.

6. Key Definitions
Teams usually have a common task and are made up of people chosen because they have relevant expertise. They may be multidisciplinary such as a primary health care team or a team who work in the same organization or they may be interagency such as an HIV team or child protection team.

7. Policy Background Collaboration requires multisectoral approach.
Multisectoral co-operation effectively ensures prerequisites for health.
Healthy alliances “in effect, a partnership of individuals and organizations formed to enable people to increase their influence over the factors that affect their health and well being.

8. Advantages of Collaboration
Synergy: holistic approach to health.
Helps clarify roles and avoids rivalry.
Based on local needs.
Wider consultation.
Effective use of resources.
Uniform information to public.
Tackles root cause of ill health.

9. Barriers to Collaboration
Lack of commitment at senior level.
Differences in outlook.
Professional rivalry.
Imbalance in contribution to resources.
Exclusion of new partners.
Lack of appropriate skill.
Lack of shared, achievable goals.
Lack of inter-organization understanding.

10. The Ideal Team Common task or purpose.
Members have specific expertise.
Roles are clear.
Members support each other.
Members compliment each other.
Commitment to accomplish task.
Leader coordinates and takes responsibility.
Team has a base.

11. Stakeholders in Promoting Health
Government departments.
Health authorities.
Primary health care team.
Professions allied to medicine.
Local authorities.
Community groups and NGO’s.
Business sector and major employers.
Mass media.

12. The end!