Govern4Health

Introducing Govern4Health, the first app on governance created by Management Sciences for Health (MSH). Govern4Health is designed to provide global health leaders basic information on four essential practices of good governance:

1.Cultivating accountability
2.Engaging stakeholders
3.Setting shared direction
4.Stewarding resources

Health leaders will also learn about continuous governance enhancement—what it means to assess and periodically improve one’s governing practices.

WHAT DOES THIS APP DO?

This app helps health sector leaders and managers at all levels in low- and middle-income countries must become more knowledgeable about governance, including new forms and practices of governing for health. Govern4Health demystifies the art and science of governance by breaking down these essential governance practices into tasks that health leaders carry out, as well as activities that can reinforce their effectiveness in leadership and governance.

HOW CAN THIS APP HELP ME?

If you govern a health center, hospital, health system or a health department: this App will help you improve the performance of your organization and achieve better health outcomes for people you serve. Even if you do not have a formal governing role, this App can help you in many ways. For example:

If you are a doctor, nurse, or other clinician providing healthcare, or if you are a health manager, you know that insufficient service delivery infrastructure, a shortage of skilled healthcare workers and medicines, and poor procurement and distribution systems lead to disparities in access to care. This App will help you improve the governance of your organization, and as a result you will be more likely to get resources and political support, and achieve your program goals and objectives.

If you are a donor and want your money to go farther in achieving results, investing in improving governance of the health systems you are supporting is essential. This app helps you focus on essential practices of good governance.

WHAT IF I’M NOT A HEALTH LEADER?

The app is designed to support health leaders at the highest levels in low-and middle-income countries. However anyone can benefit from gaining an understanding of what it means to govern, including leaders who govern in other sectors.

Govern4Health users will also receive:

1.Periodic tips on smart governance
2.Governance quizzes
3.Evidence from around the world on why good governance matters
4.Links to practical governance tools and resources

We are pleased to share these governance practices with our colleagues around the world—health leaders and managers in the field—including those who govern or support governing bodies within their organization (public or non-governmental organizations). We welcome your feedback!