Lusaka District Health Management Team- LDHMT

Context

Lusaka DHMT is a public organisation involved in the provision of primary health care and they  are therefore also answerable to the community they serve.  Its interest is to ensure that structures and organizations appointed to monitor healthcare services are empowered to do so. The organization has been active since the early 1990s. During this time, they have worked with Neighborhood Health Committees (NHC), which are appointed structures at the lowest level to link the community and the health system in Lusaka.

Website

Area of Work
Lusaka, Zambia

Contact Person
Adah Zulu

Approaches to implementing Community monitoring/accountability

The NHC act as a coordinating body for community based groups working in the catchment area of public health facilities. The main role of NHC is to ensure accountability of health facilities in terms of equity of access, quality of health care services, resource allocation and expenditure.  The work between Lusaka DHMT and the NHC focuses on consensus building through public address and door-to-door sensitization. There is also capacity building workshops and talks; collect information through surveys, activity reports and tally sheets.

Results and Lessons

• In those health facilities where community monitoring through participatory-action research is implemented, there has been marked improvement in communication, mutual understanding and respect of roles. There have been less conflicts and better partnerships in implementing community services.
• There is also evidence of improved quality of care and equity of access.
• Among the limitations,  a high turnover and shifting of health workers is among the most relevant.