Since 2008, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) has implemented leadership and governance capability building programs for health in various rural municipalities in the country. Assessment of ZFF’s initial cohort municipalities in 2012 showed decreases in maternal mortality using ZFF’s health change model, which regards leadership as key to equitable and effective local health systems towards better health outcomes.

In October 2013, USAID/Philippines entered into a three-year Global Development Alliance with the ZFF to implement its capability building programs in 121 local government units, including the three cities under USAID’s Cities Development Initiative.

ACTIVITIES

Provincial Leadership and Governance Program will build the health leadership capacities of the Provincial governors and their provincial health officers to develop the provincial health system.

City Leadership and Governance Program is a strategic and focused health leadership and governance program to help city mayors and health officers address the challenges of rapid urbanization to health outcomes in urban areas.

Municipal Leadership and Governance Program is a leadership program for mayors and municipal health officers who are expected to improve their municipal health indicators and engage other local stakeholders.

Health Leaders for the Poor will be implemented in municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, wherein the municipal health officer is expected to provide technical coaching to the Mayor.

RESULTS

Improvements in health leadership and governance in the project sites, as evidenced by:

• Strengthened local health boards
• Introduction of innovations by local chief executives in Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga Peninsula on the provision of incentives for deliveries in health facilities
• Strengthened coordination among local chief executives, municipal health officers, midwives, and traditional birth attendants in the delivery of health services
• On-going establishment of hospital management and coordination mechanisms at the provincial level

GOAL

To improve health outcomes in the areas of maternal and child health (MCH), family planning (FP) and tuberculosis (TB) by enhancing leadership and governance capabilities of local chief executives and local health officers.

OBJECTIVES

• Train local chief executives and local health officers on Bridging Leadership competencies
• Improve local health systems to make them more responsive to the needs for MCH, FP and TB prevention and control
• Increase community participation and health- seeking behavior in target areas through improved local health systems and local health leadership