Health Project and Program Management
Introduction
Projects and program management in the health sector play a crucial role in addressing the problems faced in the industry. A program is developed to utilise several inputs in a bid to carry out certain activities as specified by the manager. The inputs include funding from initiatives and money obtained from community groups. The activities that the program aims at undertaking include training on minimum initial service package and the data gathering procedures. The accomplishment of the various activities will lead to the delivery of planned products and services. Moreover, participants in the project will benefit in several ways if the activities are accomplished to the expected extent. Additionally, these benefits to participants will lead to specific changes in organisations, communities, or systems that are expected to occur.
Project Inputs
A project will not operate effectively without the required resources. Resources range from funds to human labour. This project made use of several resources that were obtained from several sources. First, funding of USD 50000 was received from the SPRINT initiative. The funding was directed towards the Family Organization of the Philippines. Also, recruitment was done for community youth groups to assist in addressing the needs of the displaced people. Reproductive health kits, including clean delivery, dignity, and hygiene, were also provided to use in operation. The Family Organization of the Philippines provided supplies such as condoms to be used by the displaced people. Other clinical facilities were also used to make the project successful.
Activities
After the inputs are made accessible, the next step is to move on with the planned activities. First, Minimum Initial Service Package Delivery Agency Identification among the displaced population in Zamboanga City is made three months. The identification is used by the Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines for Reproductive Health so that they may apply aspects of the Minimum Initial Service Package. The five objectives to be achieved by this program are to identify the organisations, stop and manage the outcomes of sexual violence, reduce HIV infections, prevent death and illness and plan for sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Zamboanga City youths recruited assisted with project activities and used the Minimum Initial Service Package and project implementation. Generally, the youth are involved in the implementation of several activities associated with the project. Also, the delivery sites are identified for the implementation of the aspects of the Minimum Initial Service Package. The achievement of the five objectives lies in the data gathered in terms of baseline PH data, baseline and displaced people as well as documentation. Afterwards, the coordination of delivery and supply of materials was done to support the achievement of the objectives. The supply of materials was done with dignity to ensure clean delivery when supplying condoms and hygiene kits.
Moreover, community information sessions were held to educate the displaced people on issues of productive health. Reproductive Health Working Group did an initialisation with the UN Population Fund. The responsible department was the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and the Mindanao Emergency response Network. Generally, the initialisation was aimed at coordinating the Sexual and Reproductive Health response to the crisis of Zamboanga City.
Outputs
If the activities are accomplished as expected, several outputs will be obtained. The outputs will could be in amounts, types, or even services. First, an appropriate agency is appointed to oversee the Minimum Initial Service Package delivery. The training for volunteer staff is also adequate, and thirty volunteers are trained. After that, the number and quality of the delivery sites are identified before data on the number of displaced people is collected.
Moreover, the number and quality of sexual and reproductive health services are obtained for the displaced people. Then preparation is done for family planning assistance for the displaced people. The quantity of condoms to the displaced people is also obtained, while Kits including hygiene kits, dignity and clean delivery have been distributed to targeted groups. This being women in reproductive age and pregnant women. Numerous health education sessions on community health information are also delivered for a significant number of attendees. Finally, a Reproductive Health Working Group is formed and initiated.
Outcomes and Short-term Benefits
The accomplishment of the activities and achievement of outputs benefits the participants in several ways. First, Institutional capacity will increase as well as to respond to the disaster with the Minimum Initial Service Package. Also, the five objectives will be achieved, including putting a stop to sexual violence and its consequences as well as to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Furthermore, the project will increase awareness and knowledge of available sexual and reproductive health services amongst the displaced population. Thus, issues and consequences associated with sexual and reproductive health will be significantly decreased.
Moreover, a significant positive increase in sexual and reproductive health behaviours is observed. The displaced population utilises the distributed materials such as the condoms and hygiene kits. Also, an observation is expected for improved and better access to sexual and reproductive health facilities for the targeted people who need HIV care and treatment. Besides, numerous delivery sites are identified hence improved service delivery. Additionally, sexual violence support services are improved and made accessible. Therefore, the coordination and delivery of local services are ensured.
Other benefits associated with the project include the fact that the incidences of HIV and STIs significantly. Also, the rate of unplanned pregnancies among the displaced population has significantly reduced. Moreover, a significant decrease in neonatal, maternal, and infant morbidity and mortality rates has been reported. Finally, the participants enjoy a long-term availability and support of appropriate and accessible sexual and reproductive health facilities.
Long-term Benefits
Some benefits associated with the project are not felt in the initial stages. For example, the project will ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights of all displaced people, especially women and children, is accessible. Also, the project will facilitate the enhancement and education of the concerned people. Moreover, the project will lead to a decreased rate of harassment and sexual violence.
Additionally, Sexual and reproductive health awareness and rights will be integrated into the area and national recovery, as well as development programs, introduced. The project will also be responsible for strengthening partnerships and cooperation with all associated stakeholders. Also, there is a decreased prevalence of HIV and other STIs among the displaced people as well as the associated negative symptoms. Moreover, access to HIV treatment and services for the displaced population living with HIV/AIDS is enhanced. Furthermore, the project will be essential in managing the size of families hence putting in check, the population growth among the displaced persons.
Data Collection
The study employs the use of qualitative data and aims at overcoming the limitations of quantitative data. The data used in the study has to be sourced from the target population. In this case, the displaced persons form the central reason why the project is undertaken (Sutton and Austin, 2015, 226). Interviews are essential in obtaining crucial information concerning the displaced persons. For example, the number of families and persons per family can be obtained by interviewing persons. The responsible party employs strategies to motivate the individuals to provide the necessary information concerning the project. The Minimum Initial Service Package has five objectives that form the basis for the data collected for the study. Also, the authorities that are responsible for settling displaced persons has crucial information on the displaced persons. Therefore, information such as Ph baseline and the number of displaced persons can be obtained from the responsible authorities.
Research on healthcare suffers from several challenges when data is not easily accessible. Also, low-quality data may lead to errors that may be costly in the long run. To avoid inconveniences, qualitative data is employed for the research (Palinkas et al. 2015, 534). The information required does not require detailed metrics and opinions from the respondents are sufficient for providing the required data. The fact that qualitative data pay little attention towards metrics means that the attention is directed towards obtaining more crucial details. For example, the respondents are required to provide the number of people per family in the area. Details such as the number of females and males can be obtained without much efforts being required instead of worrying about the data metrics.
Moreover, qualitative data offers flexibility to the collectors hence providing more flexibility. Respondents may be reluctant to provide information such as HIV status or even the number of people in the families (Mihas, 2019, n. p). The advantage of qualitative data collection is that the researchers have the freedom to shift the research gears to probe further in a bid to obtain more details concerning the respondents. Also, the research on the use of Condoms may be shifted to involve the suppliers in providing information concerning the rate at which the residents obtain the condoms. Generally, the methods employed in the collection of data are strategic in that they overcome the challenges associated with other methods of data collection.
Some of the performance indicators include the cost paid for every delivery site. Also, the number of patients, which can be obtained from clinical records, is considered. The variables include costs per purchase staff hours and orders. Also, the percentage of time allocated for the following: Logistics, administrative tasks, training and professional development, interagency collaboration, conducting medical sessions and conducting information session, is estimated. The information on the indicators forms a crucial part of the study process.
Ways of Overcoming Challenges and Assumptions
Clinical records are utilised to accurately and efficiently manage patient numbers regarding the operational site and medical mission. For each of the activities undertaken, the resource allocations are also noted. Also, the issue of bias is addressed by dividing the hours by tasks and recording the proceedings in a suitable time frame. The challenge posed by insufficient volunteers is solved by recording the hours, staff members work voluntarily accurately to avoid recall bias. The available hours, staff can work as volunteers will also be noted.
Moreover, the accessibility of hygiene kits and condoms when needed by the displaced persons is addressed to avoid setbacks. Inventory records, accurate records and medical mission reports will be detailed and precise. Daily inventory records will be kept and recorded accurately. It is vital to keep track of all inventory to notice whether there will be shortages of stock.
The quality of delivery sites poses a challenge to the project managers. However, the initial site will be examined and reported on with an abundance of information. A checklist will be compared with the initial assessment to ensure that all points of the criteria are met to ensure all sites are appropriate. Moreover, the accuracy, reliability and the overall validity of the data captured. An assumption is made that data is cleaned and correct. Other governmental departments and non-government organisations may not deliver the data needed, and thus the responsible researchers take responsibility to find information on the required variables. Generally, the project faces several challenges, but strategies are put in place to avoid setbacks from the challenges.
References
Mihas, P., 2019. Qualitative data analysis. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
Palinkas, L.A., Horwitz, S.M., Green, C.A., Wisdom, J.P., Duan, N. and Hoagwood, K., 2015. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research, 42(5), pp.533- 544.
Sutton, J. and Austin, Z., 2015. Qualitative research: Data collection, analysis, and management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 68(3), p.226.