Research and Development Unit:
The primary goal of the CHESPOR Research unit is to assist in strengthening HPSR and improving the quality of policy implementation practice and donor decisions in the sub-region. CHESPOR research unit will generate scientific evidence and information in health systems and policy research, share and apply evidence based policy analysis to tackle complex health issues using a multidisciplinary approach. The centre will bring together scholars and practitioners with broad expertise in health policy, health systems research, health economics and financing, health service administration and provision, and public health management to produce high quality research, discussions and analysis of current health systems and policy issues in the Sub-Saharan African region.
The CHESPOR research program will address the following key areas:
- Governance and Leadership in Health
- Health systems and services strengthening
- Financing, equity and inequality in health
- Health services management and quality improvement in service provision
- Human resources for health and sustainability of skilled health labour
- ICT, technology and health management and service delivery
- Crises and health systems resilience and responsiveness in Africa
Teaching and Training Unit:
CHESPOR will provide learning opportunities to build and strengthen capacity in health policy and systems research (HPSR) and practice. The centre is working in close collaboration with the four schools in GIMPA to offer graduate programmes that will lead to the development of critical skills and perspectives in health systems, health services management and health policy analysis while highlighting the socio-economic and political context within which our health care system operates. This will target senior to middle level managers working in the health systems within public, private and non-governmental sectors.
The Masters Programmes to be announced soon are:
- Masters in Health Policy and Systems Research
- Masters in Governance and Leadership in Health
- Masters in Health Services Management
- Masters in Urban Health
- Masters in Health Economics and Financing
These programmes emphasise key aspects of the health systems that require strengthening in Africa and the importance of systems thinking, power and value choices, politics, socio-economic factors, while also focusing on the interaction between governments and the private sector to promote health for the communities. The master’s programmes will include intensive training in policy analysis and critical appraisal techniques and systems thinking. These will apply practical tasks in policy development, implementation and learning.
Classes will be conducted in intensive mode through the modular programme offered by GIMPA. We also intend to introduce weekend training for frontline workers and policy implementers as well as offer regular evening programmes and workshops.
In addition to these masters’ programmes, a collaborative Doctoral Programme in Health Leadership Africa (DrPH-HLA) is being negotiated with the School of Public Health, University of Ghana and its affiliate institutions preparing to offer the programme. The Training Unit of CHESPOR is also committed to capacity development and building in the sub-region. It is also offering short training with varying range of courses which is either certificated and non-certificate training for institutions and health organisations who wish to address specific skills and challenges based on demand and/or to build capacity for leadership and management in health.
Advisory and Consultancy Unit:
The healthcare sector, private and non-governmental organisations are inherently confronted with complex challenges in the health systems mostly related to contextual and social factors, financing, implementation and monitoring challenges. Also for institutions working in public health, significant and continuous structural changes require providers to organise around a new set of standards – including value, accountability, quality, efficiency and transparency. The consultancy and advisory unit is open to provide services to the health and related sectors, public institutions, private and commercial organisations, national governments, non-governmental organisations, and multinational institutions operating locally, in the region and internationally. The CHESPOR will use evidence–based research to support and advise clients. It will also provide consultancy for healthcare solutions designed to help clients optimise their performance, strengthen their health system and analyse policies critical for strategic, operational and financial challenges of the future.
Policy Engagement, Advocacy and Communication:
This service is aimed to support a variety of stakeholders to foster collaboration and networking between the CHESPOR and policy makers, health leaders and managers and frontline workers. CHESPOR is also looking to engage with think tanks, partner research institutes, partner universities and the academic community and the public. To engage key stakeholders, the centre is employing innovative ways and strategies to plan, package and disseminate research information.
The services will include:
- Investigative reporting using videos and story-telling to lead the debate on quality of care and services, efficiency, corruption in the health services, weak health practices, lack of trust and accountability in the health system and current topical issues affecting the health systems;
- Leading debates, discussions and reflections on relevant health challenges affecting Ghana and the neighbouring countries i.e. Ebola, Cholera, Malaria, etc.;
- Publish policy briefs to inform and engage with key health sector actors; and
- Use appropriate strategies to promote health communication and advocacy.
Networking:
CHESPOR is fostering local, regional and international networking to build partnership with actors stakeholders in health systems, policy analysis and implementation practices. We are open for collaboration with other academic institutions in the Africa and the rest f the world region, professional and thematic working groups, international and non-governmental organisations with interest in health systems strengthening, private and commercial institutions working in the health sector.