Putting Management Capacity Building at the Forefront of Health Systems Strengthening Comment on "Management Matters: A Leverage Point for Health Systems Strengthening in Global Health"

Abstract

The current limited focus on management in global health activities is highly problematic given the amounts of financial and human resources that are pouring into health system strengthening interventions and the complexity of clinical operations across settings. By ensuring that public health and healthcare practitioners in domestic and international settings receive management training in their educational programs and that we build management capacity among individuals already in the health workforce, we can begin to prepare for more effective health systems strengthening efforts. Rigorous evaluation of health systems strengthening and the impact of management capacity building is crucial to building evidence for the field. 15171/ijhpm.2015.195 Introduction Healthcare management has long been a part of improving formal healthcare organizational performance, but the tools and skills that accompany this field are less commonly employed in broader health contexts such as global health systems strengthening and public health efforts. 1 The recent article by Bradley et al draws attention to this gap in the field of health systems strengthening and global health..com Int J Health Policy Manag 2016, 5(2), 129-131 doi 10.2 Their article initiates an important discussion and lays out a three part strategy for addressing this important missing component of the various activities and frameworks at the core of global health systems strengthening efforts. Well over a decade into the formal development of health systems strengthening, it is beyond time that we acknowledge the value of management in "achieving large ends with limited means. "2 As Bradley and colleagues note, the limited focus on management in global health activities is highly problematic given the amounts of financial and human resources that are pouring into health system interventions and the complexity of clinical operations across settings. Furthermore, given the heightened reporting requirements and pressure to show population health improvements resulting from international health aid, integrating management capacity building into health systems strengthening activities will be beneficial not only for health systems and population health, but also for funding accountability. Encouraging increased incorporation of management in global health systems strengthening, Bradley and colleagues suggest a focus on training and education, practice, and research. As a starting point, the authors provide an important

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