Integration Matters V O L U M E
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Message from the Chair-Board of Directors infection, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse of boys AND girls and the increasing addiction to illicit sexual relations.
INSIDE Page 2: Message from the ChairIntegration Steering Committee Page 3: Cabinet Approves Integration Communications Strategy Rolled Out. Page 4: Integration Achievements Types of Integration Page 5: What is in the Pipeline? “Vox Pop� voiced by staff Feedback Channel Page 6: The Integration Steering Committee The Communications Team
Dr. Sandra Knight, Chairperson, National Family Planning Board
The
time has come, once again when the Government of Jamaica has sanctioned a transformative, and enterprising move- the merger of the National Family Planning Board and the National HIV/STI Programme. This is by no means a novel move as quite a few countries around the world have done the same to increase efficiency and effectiveness of sexual health programmes, that must be implemented in the best interest of the Jamaican people. We have heard the cries of our nation's teachers, parents, and youth for the need to increase their access to education and services that will decrease the risk of HIV
The task is enormous but we at the National Family Planning Board are committed to the task at hand. We have already merged programmes from the two entities to ensure strength and impact; the staff has been prepared and is being trained both in technical areas and human resource wisdom in order to have a smooth transition. Our stakeholders have been informed and are fully on board with the only aim of improving the lives of the Jamaican people. We have already attained our desired fertility rate of close to 2 (2.4) but we are aware that if we do not collaborate with our partner ministries to address the pockets of high fertility we will derail past successes and our work would have been in vain.
I would like to thank the Honourable Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson and the Permanent Secretary for their support and guidance, the Board of Governors who have been unwavering in their oversight of this process and leadership, and the staff of the NFPB that continues to toil assiduously in the name of Jamaica, land we love. Last but not least thanks to the Jamaican people who have opened their schools, places of worship, homes, community centers, and places of work to allow us to spread the word of optimum sexual health for ALL. Thank you!
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Message from the Chair-Integration Steering Committee On
“Integration of elements of the NHP into the NFPB is no easy undertaking and we intend to answer the questions, allay the myths and fears and provide you with quarterly updates on the integration process.”
April 1, 2013 the Cabinet approved the integration of elements of the National HIV/STI Programme (NHP) into the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) in keeping with global trends for strengthening the link Dr. Kevin Harvey, between Family PlanChair Integration ning, HIV/STI and Steering Committee. Sexual Reproductive Health. In an effort to update our internal and external stakeholders and to enable them to better understand and support the changes that integration will bring in 2014, we introduce to you this newsletter; one of our vehicles for communicating on integration. There is no doubt that communication is key in ensuring a successful integration. We know that the process has been challenging. Integration of elements of the NHP into the NFPB is no easy undertaking and we intend to answer the questions, allay the myths and fears and provide you with quarterly updates on the integration process. I believe there still remains an opportunity for staff feedback and participation as integration is an evolving process. There is more work to be done including obtaining legislative amendments, seeking and obtaining approval for the new organisational structure with revised job roles and functions, finalizing governance arrangements, human resource transitioning, staff training and empowerment, and finalising the integrated strategic plan. It is anticipated that it will take another one to two years for us to evolve truly into an integrated entity.
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I take this opportunity to thank the members of the Integration Steering Committee for committing their time and energy in ensuring the achievement of outcomes related to the implementation of integration. We thank all our stakeholders and crave your continued input, support and patience throughout the process without which full integration will become unattainable. I commend the communications team for their new role in assisting with disseminating information and key messages on integration. Please accept my sincere and best wishes for 2014.
The Proposed Overarching Goals of the Integrated NFPB:
To strengthen public-private partnerships with key multilateral agencies, global health organisations and the private sector in order to advance sexual reproductive health (SRH) policies and programmes.
To increase the impact of SRH policy and programming through strategic coordination .
To improve efficiency in the delivery of services including reducing redundancies and overlaps within the sector.
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Cabinet Approves Integration On April 1, 2013, The Cabinet approved the integration of elements of the National HIV/STI Programme (NHP) into the National Family Planning Board (NFPB). The rationale for integration is: To provide a sustained and coordinated environment for good practices in the National Sexual Reproductive Health responses.
Family and Population Planning requires broader linkages with Prevention, Care and Treatment of STIs , HIV and AIDS for the comprehensive management of sexual reproductive health.
Global trends and best practices for the management of the HIV response require a broader linkage with sexual reproductive health programmes under one single government authority having board level inputs from stakeholders.
To capitalise on existing synergies in health education, prevention, promotion, and behaviour modification mandates of the NHP and the NFPB.
Units Integrated: Prevention Monitoring & Evaluation Enabling Environment & Human Rights Support to Treatment Care and Services Benefits of Integration include:
Greater support for dual protection against unintended pregnancies & STIs. Reduced travelling & downtime costs for clients & greater uptake of services. Maximised productive use of scarce resources
Communications Strategy Rolled Out A communications team has been set up to drive communications and support the change management programme whilst ensuring a level of staff participation in the integration process. The team will carry out the following functions: Develop and implement a communications plan specifically targeting our internal stakeholders. Disseminate information and key messages on integration to staff and internal stakeholders through formats identified in communications plan. Assist in designing and coordinating team building sessions for staff. The team to date has produced and issued a pamphlet titled “On Integration Communications Strategy ”, developed this newsletter, and a communications plan. A Communications Consultant will also be hired to develop new branding and visual identity, key messages for internal and external stakeholders.
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Integration Achievements Drafting Instructions
have been issued by the Ministry of Health’s legal team to the Chief Parliamentary Council to amend the National Family Planning Act. The modification seeks to among other things modify the composition of the Board of Management to ensure broader representation of members to carry out the mandate of the integrated entity.
The transfer of NHP
contract
administration and human resource
func-
tions for thirtyseven staff relocated to NFPB
New
Organisational Structure developed with New Job Descriptions
The transfer of NHP
contract administration, and human resource functions for thirty-seven staff relocated to NFPB.
Manuals were de-
veloped for: Human Resources, I CT, Procur ement , and Finance.
A Change Management Plan has been developed.
An Integration Coordinator has been hired.
Types of Integration Vertical integration is defined by the Pan American Health Organization (2008) as “the coordination of services among operating units that are at different stages of the process of delivery of patient services. It is grouping organizations that provide different levels of care under one management. Horizontal integration is defined by the Pan American Health Organization (2008) as
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“the coordination of activities across operating units that are at the same stage in the process of delivering services.” Horizontal integration involves grouping organizations that provide a similar level of care under one management umbrella. Conglomerate integration this occurs when a business merges with another that produces a completely different product.
The integration of the NHP and the NFPB may be described as a horizontal integration which seeks to streamline and strengthen the health system by establishing a cohesive sexual reproductive health service. The integration is not a “take-over” by any one entity.
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What is in the Pipeline? A
comprehensive
Staff
Guide
on
Integration is to be disseminated. It will
include timelines for integration
and
changes expected .
“The
capacity to contribute to the process was not tapped. Feelings of being undermined and not valued. Intellect and skill set of team members are not appreciated as persons could have provided suggestions and concerns prior to integration.”
A comprehensive Staff Information Guide on Integration is being drafted to include information such as timelines for integration and changes expected. This will be disseminated to staff by the end of February. Submission of proposal for new entity to the Corporate Management Division of the Ministry of Finance. This s u b m i s s i o n seeks to obtain approval for the proposed organizational structure and revised job .
descriptions. Stakeholder Assessments will
be conducted over the period February to March 2014. These will assess all organisations, persons and groups who have an interest or whose interest should be considered in implementing the integration processes. Completion of the
Strategic Plan for the integrated entity.
“Vox Pop” voiced by Staff Here are comments, questions and concerns gleaned from face- to -face discussions with staff and from our suggestion box. In subsequent newsletters and through other communication tools we hope to address the concerns and answer frequently asked questions.
“The capacity to contribute to the process was not tapped. Feelings of being undermined and not valued. Intellect and skill set of team members are not appreciated as persons could have provided sug-
gestions and concerns prior to integration.” “There is a perception of “unworthiness” when not relocated” “What is the rationale and necessity to provide views and suggestions at this stage of the process given that most persons have been relocated to NFPB” “Top down approach in communication
Feedback Channel 1. Drop your comments, suggestions or concerns in the suggestion boxes strategically placed at the MOH and the NFPB offices. INTEGRATION
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2. Speak with one of the members on the Integration Committee or the Comm unicat ions team
3. Raise your queries during the staff meetings, stakeholder consultations and workshops.
5 Sylvan Avenue, Kingston 5, Phone: 876-968-1631-2, Fax: 876-968-1626 E-mail: margeropernurse@jnfpb.org
The Integration Steering Committee Dr. Kevin Harvey, Chair & Chief Medical Officer (Acting), MOH Dr. Sandra Knight- Co, Chair & Chair, Board of Management, NFPB Dr. Jeremy Knight- Director, NHP (Acting) Mrs. Sannia Sutherland- Executive Director, NFPB (Acting) Dr. Jennifer Knight Johnson- Project Management Specialist, USAID Mr. Marvin Gunter– Representative, UNFPA Mrs. Melissa McNeil Barrett– Assistant Representative, UNFPA Mrs. Beverley Needham- Change Management Specialist, MOH Mrs. Novia Condell-Gibson- Adolescent Health & Empowerment Specialist , UNICEF Miss. Sandrene Dunkley- Director, Human Resources & Administration, NFPB Miss. Sonia Smith-Director, Industrial Relations & Social Welfare, MOH Miss. Sheryl Dennis-Legal Officer, MOH Ms. Kate Spring– UNAIDS Country Coordinator
The Communications Team
Terry Ann Frith
Dianne Thomas
Leo O’Reggio
Racquel Reece
Roshane Reid
Genice Wright
Nicolene Nelson
Integration Coordinator
Director, Outreach
Communications Officer (Productions)
Communications Officer (Writer)
BCC Officer
HIV Technical Officer
Youth Interventions Officer
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek” Barack Obama.