title: Providing technical assistance to ministries of health: lessons learned over 30 years.
abstract: Pursuing true country ownership for effective programs requires a long-term approach involving persistence, patience, keen understanding of counterparts' perspective, deference, building trust, focus on priorities, technical competence, and sustained optimism.
authors.affiliation: Management Sciences for Health , Cambridge, MA , USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solter
authors.affiliation: Pathfinder International , Watertown, MA , USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solter