Recognizing the critical role of political leadership in sustainable health care financing and particularly the strategic role of Ministers of Finance in ensuring value for money in a changing Africa, the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are jointly developing a ministerial leadership in health program for Ministers of Finance.
Objectives of the program
The principal objectives of the program are to:
• Enhance understanding of the importance of transformational political leadership in improving national health and health care;
• Examine the importance of health for national economic development and poverty eradication;
• Explore innovative health financing options and international experience with the aim of reducing dependence on external budgetary support and achieving universal access to quality health services; and
• Study strategies and instruments for improved value for money in health care spending.
Program activities
The principal activity will be a three-day ministerial forum for Ministers of Finance. The ministerial forum will be jointly led by senior level Harvard faculty together with a small group of distinguished former Ministers and cabinet level officials with substantial track record in health and finance, as well as prominent economists and scholars.
The Program is exclusively designed for serving ministers of finance in Africa. About 15 Ministers of Finance will be invited to participate in the first program in recognition of their leadership in public financing in Africa. The first ministerial forum is scheduled for November 28-December 1, 2012 at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded to the participants.
The program will be informed by an Advisory Committee of prominent economists, former Ministers of Finance from in and out of Africa, heads of international organizations, and academic scholars.
The ministerial forum will be followed by customized country-level leadership and consensus building activities at the participating country’s request.
Contact for information
Dr. Michael Sinclair,
Executive Director of Harvard Ministerial Leadership in Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health
Phone: +1-617-432-1819
Email: MSINCLAIR@hsph.harvard.edu
http://www.ministerialleadershipinhealth.org/
Dr. Feng Zhao,
Manager, Human Development Department, African Development Bank
Phone: +216-7110-2117
Email: f.zhao@afdb.org
