03/2018 PAGEL II Workshop Public Health

Summary Report: The second workshop in public health was carried out in Valledupar from 28.02 until 02.03 in the Camara de Comercio facilities. 19 participants from different disciplines from Secretaria de Salud from Cesar were present from 4 municipalities from Valledupar, La Jagua de Ibirico, Pelaya y la Paz (see photo attached). The participation from the second department la Guajira was unfortunately not possible. Unofficial information reported as reason "the lack of job contracts of the health staff". The facilitation team was composed by: Dres Enrique Penaloza and Andres Cubillos from Instituto Salud Publica, Universidad Javeriana and Dr. Sonia Diaz-Monsalve ZMG coordinator from University Freiburg in Germany.

PAGEL II Workshop

The event started with the application of the pre-test. On average the group responded only 13.8% of the questions correctly (with values ranged from 1.3% to 32.5%).

After the introduction of the program and presentation of participants, the first session was dedicated to assess the commitments from the first workshop. The results were not as positive as expected (partly due to the fact that the "homework" after the first workshop had not been done) but some improvements were perceived in terms of the use of some of the methodologies learned from the first workshop such as the priority setting matrices in different health programmes and managerial activities.

After introducing the conceptual national framework for mental health programmes (PAIS, MIAS, RIAS), the concept of prioritization of problems causes and selection of alternatives based on the problems tree prepared in the first workshop using the Vester matrix, the group was divided into three smaller groups and came up with the formulation of 3 general objectives per group. Each group defined two specific objectives.

The second day finalised with the formulation of three programmes for the next six months including the activities, targets, resources and responsible actors for implementing the health projects.

On the third day the methodology of the "information market" was carried out and all participants provided their constructive comments to improve the three plans formulated. See the photo attached as example of the programmes designed.

Three Gantt charts were elaborated which will facilitate the monitoring of the activities for the next six months.

The last session included the formulation and socialization of commitments until August when we will meet again. Clear activities as well as time-lines and responsible actors were discussed and socialized.

At the end of the event the evaluation part was implemented:

Knowledge post - test: Participants increased their knowledge (from 13.8% to 40% on average with values ranged from 12.5% to 80%).
Evaluation of the workshop receiving the input from participants: they appreciated very much the content, the facilitators team, the methods used, the dynamics, the logistics, the facilities, eating together. Participants mentioned as main limitation the limited commitment from some participants to take part in the workshop and the late arrivals.

On behalf of the team I thank the participants for motivating us to continue planting the seeds to see improvements of the health situation through the strengthening of technical capacities of the designers and implementers of mental health programmes in the two departments.

Thanks to DAAD for financially contributing to this experience.

Sonia (on behalf of the facilitation team)

Freiburg 07.03.2018