Working with government officials and health care providers, the Access Project strengthens Rwanda’s health care system by helping its health centers. Access Project provides individual clinics with technical expertise and guidance in areas that are essential to their functioning – interventions that make the difference between a facility’s failure and success. Access intervention areas include:

Financial Management (QuickBooks training)
Well managed funds increases a health center’s ability to expand its services, and helps attract new donors.

Human Resource Management
Many health centers face challenges resulting from staff shortages and ineffective use of existing staff. Accomplished nurses are often left to manage drug procurement, accounting systems and community politics, rather than focusing on clinical care. Shifting management responsibilities to trained administrators enables all clinic personnel to function in their expertise. Effective HR management also uses incentive systems to increase staff motivation.

Drug Management
A strong data management system for pharmaceutical procurement, planning and management helps ensure uninterrupted access to medications for all patients.

Performance Based Financing helps build a motivated workforce within health facilities. Health centers receive funding based upon their performance according to a list of indicators (aimed at improving the quality of health care) established by government and other health partners

General Organization
Improved organization (including staff scheduling, procurement systems and reduction of wait time) allows health centers to treat patients more efficiently and in greater numbers.

Infrastructure (solar power, electricity, plumbing)
Adequate infrastructure, including facility repairs and improvements, are essential for a health center’s success. A minor electrical installation that allows for light and refrigeration can trigger major improvements in health.

Planning and Reporting
Proper planning at the local level is essential for attaining health objectives. Individualized annual work plans, created within the framework of the Minister of Health’s strategic plan, help health centers implement, monitor and evaluate their health outcomes, activities and aims. Basic computer technology also helps link widely dispersed health centers to the internet and to each other, enabling them to share information on treatment protocols, medication needs, financial challenges and disease incidence.

Data Management
Data management systems allow for accurate and reliable information to be readily available - for reporting and management of public health information, including HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria data. By replacing paper-based systems with basic computer data collection systems, health facilities can more easily collect and compile this invaluable information.