Table 1 Action plan to improve the performance of the health system of Curaҫao
Responsible | |
|---|---|
Actions to improve prevention and control strategies concerning VBDs | |
Assign three health professionals with VBD, management and public health experience to coordinate actions related to the prevention and control of VBDs | The management team of the MoHEN |
Institute a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including an entomologist, epidemiologist, communication expert, certified vector inspector, sociologists, surveillance systems specialist, laboratory representative (e.g. microbiologist), policymaker, environmental specialist and, if possible, PhD students who have been working in this field Note: The three assigned health professionals are responsible for documenting and disseminating information and coordinating team-related activities. They are members and representatives of the MDT | The three assigned health professionals |
Evaluate, adjust and promote laws/policies regarding infectious diseases and vector control (e.g. the existent Integrated Management Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control in Curaҫao, 2012) | The MDT and policy department |
Make a protocol for the usage of biological and chemical control measures, including related safety procedures | The entomologist, certified vector inspector, environmental specialist and policymaker |
Evaluate and provide recommendations to improve the working procedure related to housing inspections (e.g. create teams, VCU field workers work under the supervision of certified vector inspectors responsible for specific neighbourhoods/geo zones) | MDT |
Actions to enhance capacity building | |
Make job descriptions for the health system workforce that works in the field of prevention and control of VBDs Note: HR recruits future health professionals based on developed job descriptions | Human resources (HR) and the representatives of the MDT |
Seek ways to acquire funds to organise training for the workforce in different aspects (e.g. entomology, surveillance, RC, geographic information system [GIS], equipment calibration, pesticide safety) | The representatives of the MDT |
Make use of local published data to make decisions and use the research skills of PhD students to perform the necessary research, for example in the field of social sciences and entomology | The MDT |
Perform insecticide resistance and entomological research (e.g. determine the house index container index, Breteau index and pupal index) | The entomologist and VCU |
Seek funding to create a basic entomological laboratory to perform basic entomological research | The representatives of the MDT |
Actions to enhance communication and intra- and intersectoral collaboration | |
Seek ways to connect both governmental organisations and NGOs that are needed for prevention and vector control, e.g. Selikor (waste management), Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning and Ministry of Social Development, Work and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and laboratories Note: The representatives of the MDT, management specialist, sociologist and policymaker are responsible for documenting agreements between organisations to enhance accountability and transparency | The representatives of the MDT, management specialist, sociologist and policymaker |
Actions to reform the health system | |
Examine and determine the organisational culture of the health system | Management specialist, sociologist, policymaker and HR |
Make a plan to improve the management and culture style of the health system. Provide recommendations to reinforce the organisational structure of the MoHEN | Management specialist, sociologist, policymaker and HR |
Evaluate the motivation, job satisfaction and abilities of the workforce of the health system | HR |