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Experts inaugurating a workshop on Health Administration have stressed the need for managers to be proactive and make realistic use of the limited resources in the local context. "Realism is crucial. There are major reforms taking place in the health care sector globally. Our existence has to be in context taking our limited resources into account," said Dr Farhat Abbas, Medical Director and Associate Dean Clinical Affairs, Aga Khan University (AKU) at the inaugural session of the workshop.
The three day workshop titled "Strategic Planning and Performance Management" (SPPM) was organised by the Department of Community Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Medical Director's Office at Aga Khan University (AKU) Karachi from November 22 to 24, 2006. The aims of the workshop were; to understand how to develop vision and mission statements, get familiar with methods for conducting organizational assessment and stakeholder analysis, learn to develop outlines of a strategic plan, appreciate some experiences of strategic planning in health care organizations through case studies and be informed about use and application of Balanced Scorecard as a strategic performance management tool in health care organizations.
A total of 37 participants including health managers and health professionals from various hospitals in Karachi, AKU and AKUH faculty and staff including those from AKUH (Nairobi) attended this event. Explaining the purpose of the workshop, Dr Fauziah Rabbani, Associate Professor Department of Community Health Sciences, (CHS) AKU and chief organizer said that in the 21st century, successful health care management will depend on health care organizations' ability to balance quality and patient satisfaction with adequate financing and long term goals.
Dr Mohammad Khurshid, Dean Medical College, welcomed the participants while Dr David Taylor, acting provost highlighted the importance of strategic planning from an institutional perspective. Dr Wasim Jafri, Chairman Department of Medicine, mentioned that workshops such as this one would contribute to develop necessary tools and skills for physicians who are inducted into administrative roles. He further added that in order to have a strategic plan, the institutional vision and mission statements are the guiding
forces and all stakeholders should be consulted. He emphasised upon the need to build a team of very competent associates and termed it a challenge for managers to retain the human element in achieving optimal teamwork. Dr Gregory Pappas, Chairman of the Department of Community Health (CHS) Sciences emphasised the role of hospitals in public health, "Hospital managers must work with other partners, in and outside of health if we are to address the health needs of the country. The gap between medicine and public health can be bridged through planning". Dr Babar Shaikh, senior instructor CHS coordinated this session.
Workshop included various modules on strategic planning delivered by a wide range of senior staff and faculty from within AKU and AKUH. Ms Rezwana Khan, a management consultant from NGORC was the chief guest facilitator from outside AKUH.
As a part of its social responsibility and commitment to the advancement of health research and education, AKU regularly holds seminars, symposiums and events to raise awareness about health and education related issues which are of national importance and interest.
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