Following up on a study of male involvement in family planning, reproductive health and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the Capacity Project/Rwanda developed messages to help sensitize men to improve their role in the health care process for the entire family.

Voices from the Capacity Project

Let’s start by picturing the scene. It’s March 2008 in a hotel conference room in Kampala. Ministry of Health leaders are conducting a midterm review of the 2005–2010 Health Sector Strategic Plan. They’re presenting recent data from assessments and studies, along with related recommendations to meet Uganda’s human resources for health (HRH) objectives. Throughout the meeting, there is an evident sense of ownership. These are clearly their own results from their own initiatives. Seems perfectly normal, right? So what’s unusual here? And, more importantly, why does this matter?

First, let’s hear from Francis Ntalazi, assistant commissioner in charge of HR management at the Ministry of Health. He points to the important role and impact of the HR Technical Working Group, a highly active forum. “Members who come from distant districts would have found it difficult to attend meetings regularly,” he explains, “but this is moving smoothly due to the facilitation from Capacity Project.”