WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results for Development and the Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Center have launched The Experts Database, a publicly accessible, searchable online networking platform for health systems strengthening experts and institutions in Africa and Asia.
The platform seeks to elevate the profiles of experts and institutions from the countries and regions that are requesting support for technical assistance, promote The Coaching Approach as a more effective form of support to policymakers and other change agents, while also fostering a more transparent approach to matching country demands with expertise.
Results for Development’s President and CEO Gina Lagomarsino is calling on funders, INGOs and others to embrace the platform, explaining, “Decolonizing global health requires us all to think differently about how technical assistance (TA) is delivered and by whom. The Experts Database — which elevates health systems expert from Africa and Asia and emphasizes TA that is facilitative and country-led — is an important tool for every stakeholder who is genuinely committed to global health equity.”
Health systems strengthening experts from Africa and Asia are encouraged to create a profile on the platform. This will enable them to gain access to an array of new system strengthening opportunities as they emerge. Over time, we hope that The Experts Database will provide a platform for connecting and collaborating with other experts as well as training on coaching and mentoring skills.
And individuals and institutions that are seeking health systems strengthening support — including funders, international NGOs, and policymakers and practitioners from Africa and Asia — are encouraged to explore the platform and filter experts by expertise, region, languages spoken and more.
| Areas of Expertise Featured on the Platform | |
| Benefits Package Design Capacity Building Community Engagement Financing Governance Health Promotion & Prevention Health Information Systems |
Human Resources for Health Monitoring & Evaluation Priority Programs (HIV/AIDS, NCDs, MNCH) Research & Analysis Service Delivery Strategic Communications Supply Chain Management |
| To be featured in the database or to search for health systems experts, visit https://coachingexperts.org |
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The Experts Database is a collaborative effort and supported by several ongoing initiatives, including the USAID African Collaborative for Health Financing Solutions, the USAID Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator, and the Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Center.
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About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
About the Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Centre
Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Centre (SPARC) is a new initiative to strengthen strategic purchasing expertise in sub-Saharan Africa and move countries closer to universal health coverage, launched by Results for Development (R4D) in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Housed within Amref Health Africa, SPARC will match country demand with needed technical expertise by brokering tailored packages of strategic purchasing support. For more information, visit: sparc.africa.
