Empowering healthcare workers in Africa: Partnerships in health-beyond the rhetoric towards a model

In most African nations, the trumpet has sounded for joint-working, inter-agency working and multi-sectoral working. However, there are a number of lessons to be learned from collaborative schemes and initiatives that have been undertaken. In particular, attention needs to be drawn to the 'black box' where interactions between the diverse partners take place, irrespective of the 'package' the stakeholders hope to deliver to the targeted beneficiary population. The analysis of collaboration as a 'process' then becomes imperative. This paper describes collaboration and partnerships: their strategic levels, organization and structure, stage of development, membership capacities and effectiveness. Drawing on two examples of collaborative initiatives from South Africa, it identifies and analyses the challenges that face administrators and professionals involved in joint working efforts. Given the multiple facets that collectively contribute to a 'successful' collaboration, the paper suggests a framework for understanding partnership work. If health partnership schemes in Africa are to go beyond the rhetoric, many skills and diverse expertise need to be invested in multiple aspects of the efforts. The paper concludes that the presence, development and transfer of the necessary skills are needed for successful joint delivery of programmes.