The Human Resources Development and Capacity Building Programme aims at improving the contribution of the various health cadres to the delivery of quality Health services to the Communities of ECSA. The programme was initiated in recognition of the growing human resources health crisis facing the ECSA region and the realization that without properly trained and motivated staff it is impossible to implement health policies. The major focus is Human Capacity Development, Collagoration, Networiking and Strengthening of Human Resources Management and Leadership. The programme also plays a role in strengthening policy development and advocacy.

Programme Objectives

• Improve quality of health care through knowledge and skills development and capacity strengthening.
• Promote sharing of best practices in human capacity development through collaboration with technical, professional and advisory groups and networks.
• Build capacity in health policy advocacy through training and promoting evidence-based policies and programes.
• Promote harmonization and standards in education and practice.

Programme Accomplishments

Some of the achievements of the programme include successful coordination of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON); documentation of the ECSACON Model; integration of the College of Surgeons for East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) whose secretariat forms part of the Programme; development of electronic human resources databases; study of regulation of Allied Health Professions in ECSA; development of Infection Prevention and Control policies and guidelines with member states development of a prototype Professional Regulatory Framework which addresses scopes of practice for nursing and midwifery, practice standards, competences and core content and standards for education. Both ECSACON and COSECSA are Colleges without walls whose overall aim is to promote professional excellence and improve health services available to the people of ECSA through various mechanisms.