Managing human resources for eye care: 9 key points

9 key points for eye care programme managers to consider for effective human resources management:

1. Check the available pool and competence level at the beginning of the human resource development process
2. Emphasise a team approach; clarify and develop roles, responsibilities, and reporting channels
3. Build teams with the correct mix of professional and support staff
4. Do not assume existing personnel have the required skills and knowledge for service delivery
5. Invest in adequate and continuous training
6. Invest in management and advocacy training for key personnel
7. A well-motivated team delivers better results
8. Recognise individuals for outstanding performance
9. Do not single out a single profession for praise in the case of good performance, or criticism for poor performance (e.g. by saying that low numbers of cataract operations are the fault of the ophthalmologist).

This extract has been taken from “Case study: improving the management of eye care programmes” which discusses in detail the learning from supporting the implementation of comprehensive eye care programmes in four Nigerian states (Cross River, Kaduna, Kwara, and Sokoto)