Answer to Question #166546 in Management for Ninza Nambela

Question

Assess the governance arrangement in the public sector in Zambia. Your answer should include detailed arrangements at the Ministry of Health. Provide PRACTICAL recommendations aimed at enhancing governance and accountability in the Ministry of Health.

Answer 1

Zambia is a nation which has experienced relative political calm and which has an abundance of natural resources – but where corporate governance failures have been blamed directly for economic difficulties. Understanding of corporate governance is at an embryonic stage in Zambia, but embedded corruption is likely to require addressing before any meaningful change is likely.

Enhancing good governance and accountability will ensure that the strategic policy frameworks exist in Zambia, and are combined with effective oversight, coalition-building, regulation, attention to system-design, and integrity. In this setting, there will be important aspects to responsibilities and relationships between health beneficiaries and users, political and government decision makers. To enhance governance and accountability in the Ministry of Health, the stakeholders should implement;

·        Evidence-based policymaking

·        Efficient and effective service provision arrangements, regulatory frameworks, and management systems

·        Responsiveness to public health needs and the preferences of beneficiaries’/citizens’ – while also managing their differences

·        Transparency in policymaking, the way resources are allocated, and performance

·        Responsible leadership to address public health priorities

·        The legitimate exercise of beneficiaries’/citizens’ voice

·        Institutional checks and balances

·        Clear and enforceable accountability