The PBF Training in October 2012 was a Success!

The third and last round for PBF Training for Health Workers in Rungwe was officially closed on 4^th October 2012 by Zonal Chairperson of the CSSC- Southern Zone Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. Israel- Peter Mwakyolile at Catholic Youth Centre in Tukuyu. The training took ten days from 24^th September to 4^th October 2012. A total of 14 PBF modules were covered.

The official closure had many colourful events: A word of thanks from 20 trainees from Health facilities in Rungwe- both Public and Faith Based. They thanked the Donor for sponsoring the training course and acknowledged the facilitators from KCMC and CSSC for imparting them with knowledge on PBF which will enable them bring change in the health facilities they work.

Thereafter, the PBF Training Coordinator Dr R. Manongi noted that, this has been the best class as compared to other three classes- 2010 and 2011. She said as trainers, which is something one can be proud of.  She promised that they will work on ways to have tailor made PBF Courses to different stakeholders in the Country beside incorporating PBF  in their curriculum.

The PBF Exams Coordinator Dr. Declare Mushi gave an overview of the average scores from the year 2010-2012. It is interesting to express that the average score increased from 59% in 2010, to 69% in 2011 and 72% in 2012. The improvement in the average score was attributed to many factors, but two were noted as determinants:  The use of Swahili in the facilitation plus the Swahili Manual for PBF increased the comprehension of the trainees on one part and on the other part, the facilitators gained experience on facilitating the PBF Training.  Therefore, it was apparent that language proficiency is one of the important determinants in the trainees understanding in training.

In his Speech, the Guest of Honor commended the trainees for the efforts they put in the course which resulted in such achievement.  He added that, at this point the important thing is the application of the PBF in improving the Health Care in our facilities.  He urged them to be change agents and improve performance in their health facilities.

He thanked the trainees from KCMC and PBF Pilot Project as Coordination office for CSSC for the good and hard work which is demonstrated by the average scores. He noted that the trained 60 staff located in various health facilities can act as a catalyst in bringing change in ways things are done. He shared efforts done by CSSC for bringing in board the decision/ policy makers as the High Level PBF Conference held in Dar-Es-salaam in March 2012 for the aim of making PBF as Health Financing Model. Additionally, he informed the participants that the Regional Health Management Team – in Mbeya are in favour of PBF as health financing Model as compared to traditional Health financing model. Finally, he awarded 20 trainees certificates of merits.