How to develop an operational plan for health.
BACKGROUND
About 88%, 8%, 36% and 28% of the ministries of health in African countries do not have long-term health plans (LTHPs), health policies (HPs), strategic plans (SPs), and operational plans (OPs), respectively. Eight per cent, 38% and 54% of the countries with OPs rated their formulation as 'excellent', 'satisfactory' and 'needs improvement', respectively.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a rationale for an OP; to describe its contents; and to explain the process of developing it.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Operational plans in the WHO African Region.


METHODS
Non-intervention descriptive study.


METHODS
Operational plan (OP) for health.


RESULTS
An OP framework and process that could be adapted by countries is proposed.


CONCLUSIONS
An adequately formulated OP will contain objectives, targets, expected results, activities, required resources, and a monitoring and evaluation plan (consisting of responsibilities, monitoring indicators, evaluation indicators, data sources - for verifying indicators, and periodicity). In the next two decades, we envision that all the UN agencies and other health partners working in Africa will cooperate with individual countries to develop (or strengthen) LTHPs, HPs, SPs, and OPs of the Ministries of Health (national, provincial and district level).
Kirigia
J M
JM
PDC Unit, WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Sambo
L G
LG
Agu
V U
VU
Lambo
E
E
D000349:Africa; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000379:methods*; D013995:Time; D014944:World Health Organization