Mentorship to strengthen health system leadership

A case study of the Walungu rural health zone in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Bibliographic Data

ID19590899
AuthorsRosine Bigirinama (0000-0002-2461-0212, University of Lubumbashi, corresponding author), Ghislain Bisimwa (0000-0003-4799-1115, Université Catholique de Bukavu, corresponding author), Samuel Lwamushi Makali (0000-0003-3538-1715, Université Libre de Bruxelles, corresponding author), Samuel Makali, Aimé Cikomola (Université Catholique de Bukavu, corresponding author), Janvier Barhobagayana (Université Officielle de Bukavu, corresponding author), Jean-Corneille Lembebu (Université Catholique de Bukavu, corresponding author), Christian Chiribagula (0000-0002-9889-6356, Université Catholique de Bukavu, corresponding author), Pacifique Mwene-Batu (0000-0003-0413-2732, Université Catholique de Bukavu, corresponding author), Abdon Mukalay (0000-0002-5443-6788, University of Lubumbashi, corresponding author), Denis Porignon (0000-0002-0843-5696, University of Liège, corresponding author), Albert Tambwe (University of Lubumbashi, corresponding author)
EditorsLara Gautier (0000-0002-9515-295X)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue12
Pagese0003354
Publication date2024-12-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0003354
PMID39666718
OpenAlexW4405307003
LanguageEN
References cited28

From 2015 to 2019, the "RIPSEC" program launched a mentorship program, transforming the Walungu health zone, in eastern crisis-affected Democratic Republic of Congo, into a “Learning and Research Zone” (LRZ). As part of the program, a local university was tasked with strengthening the LRZ manager’s leadership capacities, including efforts to troubleshoot challenges related to the proliferation of informal healthcare facilities (IHFs). IHFs are unregulated healthcare structures operating on the fringes of the law, and claiming to offer cheaper, higher-quality care to the local population . This study evaluates the impact of RIPSEC mentorship on leadership development and the performance in the Walungu LRZ, particularly concerning the utilization of integrated curative health services in competition with IHFs. We used a mixed method approach, combining retrospective analysis of some key health indicators before (2014) and during RIPSEC program (2014 vs. 2015–2019), and in-depth qualitative interviews with members of the LRZ management team. Quantitative data were presented as frequencies and proportions. Simple linear regression (p

Benchmarking · Democracy · Economic growth · Economics · Health administration · Health care · Management · Medical education · Mentorship · Political science · Politics · Workforce · Global Maternal and Child Health · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Primary Care and Health Outcomes

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access