An Appraisal of Intersectoral Collaboration on PHC in the Asante-Akim North District

Abstract

An appraisal of intersectoral collaboration on PHC in the Asante-Akim North District in October 1995 revealed that though PHC is high amongst the developmental priorities of the Assembly, there is hardly any effort to coordinate the activities of the various sectors engaged in the promotion of PHC. Despite much common ground for collaboration, horizontal linkages amongst the decentralised departments engaged in PHC. Activities remain weak or nonexistent. An analytical framework adapted from the work of Susan Rifkin and others on “Measuring Participation” was used to describe the extent of Intersectoral collaboration in the district. The extent of Intersectoral collaboration can be described as limited. The subcommittees established for the purpose of preparing short, medium, and long term plans on PHC for the District Assembly have been unable to perform this role adequately. The members of these subcommittees have not been prepared (through training) for their new roles. Consequently, they have been found to lack the capacity to prepare district health development and promotion plans and to advocate for their implementation as envisaged by Local government law, Act 462. The DHMT has ceased to be multi sectoral because its past relationships with other health related sectors were found to be unfruitful The team perceives the other sectors as not committed to intersectoral health activities and therefore unwilling to commit their resources to such activities. In view of the fact that donor funded joint action plans were smoothly and effectively implemented, it is believed that the implementation of composite budgeting may facilitate the implementation of intersectoral PHC activities in the future. A training programme for the Assembly members elected to the subcommittees and the staff of the Assembly is advocated to strengthen their capacity to perform their expected roles. A “neutral” forum created and supported by the Assembly for coordinating the activities of all health related sectors is also advocated to further strengthen intersectoral collaboration in the district.