••REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
P.O. Box 84 KIGALIWebsite: www.moh.gov.rw
MEMO
K. l' a 2 OCT 'kg1319a 1,
Ref20/ ..6::t.J-.S ../DG PHIS/2013
From : Honorable Minister
To VChair of Health Sector Technical Working Groups (MOH)
Date :01/10/2013
Cc:
Honorable Minister of State
Permanent Secretary
Re: Restructure of Health Sector Technical Working Groups(HSTWGs) .
Dear Sir, Madam,
l am pleased to inform you that the Health Sector Technical Working Group(HSTWGs) have beenrestructured in order to make them more active, useful and align them to the main components ofI;ISSP III.
Two levels of health sector working group have been proposed instead of three; the Health SectorWorking Group(HSWG) and the Health Subsector Technical Working Groups (HSTWG).Thenumber ofHSTWG have been reduced from 27 to12.
In order to have the fruitfully TWG, the chairs of TWG are requested to propose the institutionsmembers including the MoH &RBC departments, Development Partners, Civil SocietiesOrganizations and Private Sector, working actively in the specifie TWG area. Please send a list ofthe proposed institutions members to the Director General of Planning &Health information System,Ministry of Health no later than 08th October 2013, in order to ask them officially to nominate theirfocal point.
Attached, you will find the new structure of TWG and the generic TOR with more detail onfunctionality ofTWG.
•REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
P.O. Box 84 KIGALIWebsite: www.moh.gov.rw
o 2 OCT 2013Kigali, - -
G.,;)6' PRcf 201. .. ' 0 JDG PHIS/20 13
From : Honorable Minister
To : Chair of Health Sector Technical Working Group (RBC)
Date : 01110/2013
Cc:
Honorable Minister of State
Permanent Secretary
Director General of RBC
Re: Restructure of Health Sector Technical Working Groups(HSTWGs).
Dear Sir, Madam,
l am pleased to inform you that the Health Sector Technical Working Group(HSTWGs) have beenrestructured in order to make them more active, useful and align them to the main components ofHSSP III.
Two levels of health sector working group have been proposed instead of three; the Health SectorWorking Group(HSWG) and the Health Subsector Technical Working Groups (HSTWG).Thenumber of HSTWG have been reduced from 27 to 12.
In order to have the fruitfully TWG, the chairs of TWG are requested to propose the institutionsmembers inc1uding the MoH &RBC departments, Development Partners, Civil SocietiesOrganizations and Private Sector, working actively in the specifie TWG area. Please send a list ofthe proposed institutions memhers to the Director General of Planning &.Health information System,Ministry of Health no later than 08th October 2013, in order to ask them officially to nominate theirfocal point
Attached, you will find the new structure of TWG and the generic TOR with more details onfunctionality ofTWG .
1
Terms of Reference for the Health Sector Working Group (HSWG) and
Technical Working Groups (TWGs)
These terms of reference clarify the Health Sector Working Group’s (HSWG) background, objectives,
leadership, membership, modalities and frequency of meetings under the Economic Development and
Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) institutional framework.
1. Background
Since 2008, the Government of Rwanda started implementing its second generation Poverty
Reduction Strategy, the EDPRS, which covered the period 2008-2012. Currently GoR is
implementing its second EDPRS which runs from 2013-2018 and represents the comprehensive
development agenda of the nation in the medium term which is aligned to the Vision 2020 and embeds
the spirit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The EDPRS is a national strategy which involves all stakeholders at all levels in its elaboration and the
same approach has and will be maintained during the implementation and evaluation phases, hence the
need to continue to strengthen the SWG approach.
2. Membership
The HSWG brings together Central and Local government institutions, Development Partners, Civil
Society and the Private Sector involved in the Sector or with an interest in the Sector’s development.
Members of the HSWG include but are not confined to the following;
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and its implementing agencies (e.g., RBC)
Development Partners active in the sector
Prime Minister’s Office
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN)
Representative of the Ministry of Local Government
Civil Society
Private sector institutions
Health-related institutions of higher learning (e.g., KHI)
3. Objectives
The overall objective of the HSWG is to;
Provide a forum for dialogue, ownership and accountability of the development agenda by all
stakeholders at Sector level.
Build synergies in policy formulation, implementation and enhance regular reviews.
2
The specific objectives of the Health Sector Working Group are:
Coordination of activities within the sector and ensure alignment and harmonization to reach
sector outcomes
To develop and update the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP)
To update the Health Sector Logical Framework (log frame) as needed
To develop, update and validate the sector M&E Framework
To Conduct Joint Sector Reviews (JSR) at least twice a year as per planning calendar; and timely
disseminate related reports
To strengthen the Sector-wide Approach (SWAp).
Facilitate dialogue and report to MINECOFIN on Sector Budget Support (SBS) -related
indicators, including EDPRS indicators related to the sector
Regularly discuss issues related to sector budgets (according to requirements of SBS donors
and/or donors contributing to joint financing mechanisms)
Mobilizing of resources for the sector in line with Rwanda’s Aid Policy
4. Key roles and responsibilities
4.1 Ministry of Health (Chair of the HSWG)
It is the responsibility of Ministry of Health (Chair) to:
Convene HSWG meetings, including setting the agenda in consultation with the lead donor (co-
chair).
Chair HSWG meetings.
Ensure relevant government institutions, civil society organizations and private sector are invited to
participate in the HSWG and its Technical Working Groups (TWGs).
Prepare bi-annual backward- and forward-looking JSR meeting, including necessary background
documents, such as progress reports on the status of Sector Strategy implementation, budget
execution reports, etc.; these reports should be shared with SWG members.
Lead the preparation and update of the Health Sector Strategic Plan and present it to the HSWG for
validation.
Lead the development the Sector M&E framework, present it to the HSWG for validation, and ensure
its operationalization.
Update the Health Sector log frame as needed and present such updates to the HSWG for validation.
Update the health-specific elements of the EDPRS matrix.
Communicate all relevant information concerning the HSWG to members; this may include strategic
documents, reports, meeting agenda and schedules.
Establish TWGs wherever necessary and appropriate.
Assign to member institutions of the HSWG any other relevant work as deemed necessary and
appropriate.
Mobilize resources for the sector in line with Rwanda’s Aid Policy.
3
4.2 Lead Donor (Co-chair)
It is the responsibility of the lead donor (Co-chair) to:
Co-Chair HSWG meetings.
Assist MOH with the coordination of the HSWG and to ensure the donors active in the sector are
fully represented in every HSWG meeting.
Support MOH in preparation of Joint Sector Reviews.
Coordinate common donor responses and activities in line with sector priorities and plans.
Approve the updated EDPRS health sector matrix annually with the Chair.
Contribute to the mobilization of resources for the Sector in collaboration with MOH.
Contribute to the improvement of the donors scoring in the HSWG on the Development Partners
Assessment Framework (DPAF).
Co-sign the agreed minutes of HSWG meetings
Contribute actively to and ensure effective dialogue within the health sector.
An alternate lead donor, nominated by Development Partners, assists the lead donor (Co-chair) in
discharging its duties and serves as the de facto Co-chair in the absence of the lead donor.
NB: The Chair of the HSWG may notify MINECOFIN of a request to change the Co-chair. However, the
Development Partners Coordination Group (DPCG) has the mandate to approve the new Co-chair.
4.3 Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN)
It is the responsibility of MINECOFIN to;
Provide overall Leadership.
Act as a second Co-chair in Joint Sector Reviews.
Provide strategic orientation on the planning, budgeting as well as monitoring and evaluation process
to the HSWG.
5. Frequency of meetings
The HSWG holds its meetings at least on a quarterly basis. However, the HSWG may convene extra
meetings whenever the Chair and Co-Chair deem appropriate.
In line with the national planning calendar, the HSWG will convene as the Joint Sector Review (JSR)
forum. The first JSR will be primarily backward-looking, focusing on sector performance as agreed in the
EDPRS sector matrix and budget execution for the previous fiscal year. Backward-looking reviews will
typically be held during the first quarter of the new Fiscal Year. The chair and co-chair will make sure
that backward-looking JSRs are conducted in line with the terms of reference provided by MINECOFIN.
Budget Support donors are requested to provide firm commitments of budget support by 15th January –
beginning of 3rd
quarter – to the extent possible.
4
The second JSR will be mainly forward-looking, focusing on plans and proposed budget outlays for the
next Fiscal Year and medium-term. These plans will be aligned to sector strategic plans and EDPRS.
Forward-looking Joint Sector Reviews will typically be held toward the end of the third quarter of the
Fiscal Year in line with the terms of reference provided by MINECOFIN so that they can inform annual
budget preparations.
6. Reporting and information sharing
The HSWG reports directly to MINECOFIN through its Chair. The Chair of the HSWG also reports to
the Chairs of the EDPRS Thematic Areas (currently, Economic Transformation, Rural Development,
Productivity and Youth Employment; and Accountable Governance) to which the HSWG directly
contributes. The HSWG chair will ensure forward and backward linkages between the HSWG and
EDPRS Thematic Working groups, including in terms of information sharing and updates on progress.
Within the HSWG, the reporting system is to be facilitated by a secretariat composed of at least one
representative from the Lead Ministry, Lead Donor and MINECOFIN. The goal of the secretariat is to
ensure the effective functioning and coordination within the sector.
Specific tasks of the secretariat include:
Developing agendas for HSWG meetings;
Recording meeting minutes;
Ensuring monitoring and follow-up of decisions taken in the meetings;
Ensuring coordination and coherence within the HSWG;
Circulating/publishing information to all HSWG members through their e-mail or web site,
Managing logistics for the HSWG.
The secretariat will be working closely with planners and budget officers from Ministries/agencies and
technical officers from member institutions of Development Partners, Private Sector and Civil Society. It
is the responsibility of all the members of the HSWG to share information relating to their development
interventions as required by the HSWG Chair.
7. Technical Working Groups
Since 2009, several Technical Working Groups (TWGs) operating under the authority of the HSWG
were established with the main objective of supporting and advising the HSWG in the overall
implementation of the SWAp, including the implementation of sub-sector strategies and policies and the
development of relevant guidelines and tools to be used by the implementing agencies. The TWGs were
expected to facilitate the alignment of all interventions with the National Health Policy and to support the
development and implementation of the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP).
5
In 2013, the Health Sector TWGs were restructured to reduce their number as well as improve their
effectiveness and efficiency. The twelve current TWGs are diagrammatically depicted in Annex 1.
7.1 Roles and Functions of Health Technical Working Groups
The health TWGs play a key role in facilitating coordination, information sharing, and policy dialogue at
the sub-sector level. They will interface with the HSWG via both “top-down” and “bottom-up” roles:
“Top-down”: Sub-sector policies and strategic directions determined at the HSWG level and/or
identified and agreed upon in the Joint Health Sector Reviews are passed down to the TWGs for
support in operational planning and execution, and to develop relevant guidelines and tools to be
used by the implementing agencies.
“Bottom-up”: By virtue of their knowledge of the context, realities, successes and challenges of
the health system in Rwanda, and the specificity of their technical expertise, the TWGs will
recommend policy and strategic modifications, and propose innovations to the HSWG. The
TWGs will also support the HSWG in the development of evidence-based policies and strategies.
The TWGs will report quarterly to the HSWG (see Annex 2 for the reporting template) against a work
plan that focusses on substantive outputs. The work plan can be adjusted once a year as a result of
decisions taken in the forward-looking JHSR.
Annex 3 describes the scope of each TWG’s work in general terms. TWGs are not required to develop
individual terms of reference and are free to organize themselves as they deem necessary, including
through the establishment of more specialized sub-working groups, in order to fulfil their work plans.
7.2 Composition of TWGs
Chair: Relevant heads of Departments or Units at MOH or RBC.
Co-Chair: A representative of DPs elected by the members of the Development Partners Group
(DPG) according to the institution’s expertise in the technical area of the TWG and its capacity to
contribute meaningfully to the technical area in regards to staff skills and time.
Alternate Co-Chair: A representative of DPs elected by the members of the DPG that assists the Co-
chair in discharging its duties and serves as the de facto Co-chair in its absence.
Secretary: A member elected by the TWG.
Membership: MOH, Development Partners, including CSOs and Private Sector working in the
specific TWG area.
The TWGs will meet monthly in ordinary sessions and can schedule ad hoc meetings as determined
necessary by the chair and co-chair.
6
Annex 1: New HSWG and TWG structure (HSSP III)
Health Sector Working Group
Component I:
Programs TWGs
MCH( FP, ASRH, CH, Nutrition )
DPC (Infectious diseases: HIV, Malaria, TB, NTD, EID, VPD)
DPC (NCDs):CVD, Palliative care, RD, Cancer, Injuries
Health promotion
&Environment Health
Component II: HSS TWGs
Planning M&E and HIS (HMIS, E- Health, HRTT,
HRIS etc)
HRH(Institutional capacity, medical &Nurse Education
Health Financing
Infrastructure and Supply Chain (commodities, technology, Infrastructure, medical products, diagnostic services)
Health Research and Knowledge
Management
Component III: Service delivery TWGs
Quality &
standards(accreditation ,
District/Provincial/Referral health services,
SAMU )
Mental health
Community Health
7
Annex 2: New TWG Structure chairs and co- chairs
No Technical Working
Group
Chairs Co-chairs.
MOH/RBC
Division/Unit
Names Institution Names
1. Maternal & Child
Health
MCH
Department
Dr Ngabo
Fidele
UNICEF Mohamed
Cisse
2. Planning M&E , and
HIS Planning &HIS
Dr Parfait
Uwaliraye
USG Dr. Michael
Karangwa
3. Human Resources for
Health HRH
MUKAKIGELI
Daphy
USG Dr. Maestro
Evans
4. Health Financing HFU
Dr Kayobotsi
Pascal
BTC Dr. Nicole
Cuti-Kanyoko
5. Quality &Standards Clinical Services
Dr Theophile
DUSHIME
BTC Dr. Vincent
Tihon
6.
Health Research
&Health Knowledge
Management Planning &HIS
Dr
UWALIRAYE
Parfait
SDC Tommaso
Tabet
7. Community Health CHD
Cathy
MUGENI
UNICEF Dr. Emmanuel
Manzi
8.
Diseases Prevention
and control/Infectious
Diseases IHDPC
Dr Ngirabega
Jean De Dieu
USG Dr. Eugenie
Kayirangwa
9. Diseases Prevention
and control/NCD NCD
Dr
MUHIMPUND
U Marie Aimee
WHO Dr Chantal
Gegout
10. Mental Health MH
Dr Yvonne
Kayiteshonga
BTC Dr. Achour
Ait Mohand
11. Infrastructure and
Supply Chain MPPD
Celsa Gaju
Muzayire
WHO Mrs Stella
Tuyisenge
12. Health Promotion RHCC
Nathan
MUGUME
UNICEF Siddartha
Shrestha