Financial Challenges of Private Medical Training Institutes (PMTIs)

This presentation reviews some of the major financial challenges private medical institutions deal with on a regular basis. It offers two case studies—one from Malawi and one from Zambia—to help participants think through the problems they face and brainstorm solutions. The presentation was given as part of a panel discussion at a capacity summit held by the Regional AIDS Training Network in March 2013.

Malawi Success Stories 2012

As one of the SHOPS project’s most comprehensive country programs, the SHOPS team in Malawi has initiated activities with multiple groups in the health sector. During the first program year, SHOPS has built a strong foundation for dialogue and a network of both public and private health sector stakeholders who are now working towards a common objective of ensuring better health for all Malawians. This report compiles a number of success stories from the first program year, during which SHOPS:

• Established public-private partnerships in health
• Optimized the service level agreements between the Ministry of Health and CHAM
• Improved the sustainability of CHAM units through assessment and direct technical assistance
• Identified and mapped private health providers in Malawi
• Mobilized private suppliers and providers to respond to a cholera outbreak in 2012
• Improved access to family planning services by strengthening private provider's financial and business management
• Assisted the Malawi medical council and the nurses and midwives council to set standards of care
• Supported health professional associations to strengthen their advocacy and communication roles

Malawi Private Health Sector Mapping Report

The Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) project undertook a private provider mapping exercise to describe the size, scope, and geographic distribution of private health providers in the country. As part of the mapping, SHOPS collected data on provider characteristics and services offered, and asked providers to identify obstacles to expanding their businesses. The report is based on information collected from 763 facilities (including 94 pharmacies) and 2,492 providers and includes maps conveying information about different types of private facilities, including:

• Density of private facilities
• Locations of different types of private facilities
• Locations of facilities offering family planning services
• Locations of facilities offering HIV services
• Locations of facilities with affiliations to larger networks or organizations
• Locations of facilities by number of providers per facility 

Tanzania Zinc Case Study

This document is part of a series of fourteen case studies in eleven countries that have tried to scale up ORS and zinc. These case studies document both successful and unsuccesful programs and contribute to our understanding of efforts to deliver proven interventions for childhood diarrhea. They are relevant to the community of international agencies, policy makers, researchers, and donors. Countries included in the series are: Bangladesh, Guyana, India, Jordan, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Trinidad and Tobago. In some cases a country may have two  case studies, one on ORS and one on zinc.

Preview: SHOPS Satellite Session at AIDS 2012

A preview of the SHOPS satellite session at AIDS 2012, "We're in it Together," which will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. This video features health experts from four African countries that will present at the session: 

• Edgar Lungu, Public-Private Partnerships Officer, Ministry of Health, Malawi 
• Dr. Margaret Kaseje, Executive Director, GoldStar Network, Kenya 
• Dr. Samwel Ogillo, CEO, Association of Private Health Facilities Tanzania 
• Dineo Pereko, SHOPS Country Representative, Namibia 
• Dr. Nelson Gitonga, Senior Policy Advisor, SHOPS Project, Kenya 

They discuss their successes and challenges in strengthening public-private health partnerships in developing countries. 

For more information about "We're in it Together," visit www.shopsproject.org.

Lessons from Malawi's family planning program about successful private sector provision of long-acting and permanent methods

Dr. Roy Jacobstein discusses the RESPOND Project's work on private sector provision of female sterlization and hormonal implants in Malawi. Dr. Jacobstein is the Clinical Director of the RESPOND Project, which is managed by EngenderHealth. Download a PDF of the presentation by clicking the download button, or view a recording of the presentation.

The Promise of Long Acting and Permanent Methods

Dr. Jim Shelton gives an overview of long-acting and permanent methods of family planning, including programmatic considerations and country examples in service delivery and partnerships in the private sector. Shelton serves as science advisor for the Bureau for Global Health. Download a PDF of the presentation by clicking on the download button, or view a recording of the presentation.

Malawi Private Health Sector Assessment

This private sector assessments finds that the private sector, both faith-based and commercial, is an important part of the health system in Malawi and provides critical essential health services to millions of Malawians. The assessment includes concrete recommendations to improve the contracting relationship between the Ministry of Health and the Christian Health Association of Malawi; guidance to strengthen the regulatory and policy environment to better leverage the private health sector; and steps to improve the capacity of the commercial sector to provide high-quality services.

Read the assessment brief for a summary of the reports findings and recommendations.

Malawi Private Sector Assessment Workshop

A PowerPoint from an October 2011 workshop held in Malawi with 40 key stakeholders from across the Malawian health sector. The presentation reviews results and recommendations from the Malawi Private Sector Assessment conducted by SHOPS in May and June of 2011 in an attempt to engage stakeholders in a dialogue about public-private cooperation in the provision of health care services in Malawi.

Financial Management and Record Keeping Guide for BlueStar Franchisees

This guide is intended for owners and managers of clinics operating within Marie Stopes International’s (MSI) BlueStar network in Malawi. Because clinic managers are often both clinicians and business managers, this dual role means that skills in clinical care and business management are essential for running a successful health clinic. This guide is intended to have practical application for managers of small health care businesses seeking to improve their practices’ financial management, function sustainably, access financing if needed, and continue to offer and expand essential services. Templates are included for planning, stocktaking, and goal setting.