[afro-nets] Monitoring and Evaluation training for HIV/AIDS programs

["Elly Nelson" <informatics@muchs.ac.tz>]

Monitoring and Evaluation training for HIV/AIDS programs
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
March, 2008

INTRODUCTION

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) through its MUHAS-Harvard Collaborative Public Health Informatics Training Program and MUHAS/Harvard/Dar City (MDH) HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Collaborative Program with the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) is hereby announcing a two weeks short course on Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes in Tanzania to be conducted at the MUHAS campus in Dar es Salaam during March 19-31, 2008.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

To equip key health professionals who are directly involved with national HIV/AIDS programs and projects at various levels of operation with the concepts and practical skills required to design and manage effective monitoring and evaluation plans in their respective programs, be they government or non-government intervention initiatives.

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of this two-week training, participants will be able to:
? Understand the principles and procedures of effective monitoring and evaluation of programs.
? Translate the principles of monitoring and evaluation into five key areas of focus in HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care such as PMTCT, HIV/TB, VCT, NUTRITION, HOME BASED CARE, HAART and CLINICAL SUPPORT and select indicators for monitoring and evaluation that are relevant and realistic at the provider?s level of operation.
? Improve their team?s ability to gather, manage, interpret and communicate monitoring and evaluation information, strategically and in a standardized manner.
? Understand information systems and the flow of data
? Understand how to implement Monitoring and Evaluation information

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The course is open to health professionals who are directly involved with the operation or coordination of HIV/AIDS related programs in Tanzania. However health professionals working in similar areas in other countries are also invited to apply. This training attracts participants from both public as well as private programs across the country. Applicants should be able to demonstrate current responsibilities for developing and employing M&E plans in their respective programs, be proficient in English, and posses Some computer analytical skills. Computer literacy is desirable. Special priority will be given to applicants from the district health management teams directly involved with HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation programmes, project monitors and leaders and other key health professionals.

COURSE OUTLINE

The course will cover the following topics:
? Basic concepts in HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation programmes
? M&E frameworks, indicators and information systems
? Development of M&E plans
? Basic Epidemiological and statistical inferences.
? Application of M&E information
? Update and indicators of interest and development of M&E plans for key areas in HIV/AIDS
? Presentations and sharing of experiences by course participants
? Data interpretation and use of emerging information for health promotion
? Site visits and possible use of the 5 MDH sites as prototypes

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training methodology will involve lectures, group work, and presentations. Participatory methods will be encouraged throughout the course whereby group discussions, role plays and case studies will be used to facilitate participants understanding. Most of the lectures will be followed by the relevant practical sessions. Above all, support for scholarship will depend on availability of funds.

SPONSORSHIP

Applicants are supposed to seek their own means of sponsorship. However, there is a possibility of the program to offer need-based partial or full sponsorship to some of the applicants, also depending on the degree of one?s involvement and attachment to critical public health programs in Tanzania. Applicants stand a better chance of getting sponsorship from the project if they indicate the likelihood of immediate use of the skills they gain from the course.

CERTIFICATES

Certificates will be awarded to participants upon satisfactory completion of the course.

VENUE

The course will be held at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Center for Social Science and Medicine (SOSMED) Hall of the University of Dar es Salaam.

FEES

Tuition US$ 670
Costs of meals and Refreshments US$100

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications enclosed with CV and relevant copies of academic and professional certificates should be sent to the address below. Online applications are also accepted provided they adequately include relevant attachments. The closing date for applications will be Feb 15th 2008.

Applications received after that date will not be processed.

ENQUIRIES:

To obtain additional information on the short courses or other training opportunities under the Informatics Training Program please contact:

Programme Coordinator
MUHAS-Harvard Collaborative Informatics Training Program
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
MPL Building, Ground Floor,
PO Box 65015
Dar-es-Salaam
E-mail: mailto:informatics@muchs.ac.tz
Tel: +255-732990810:  Mob: +255-754-299675


--
Elly Nelson
mailto:informatics@muchs.ac.tz