Training and developing health services administrators in Zimbabwe

An article by Stephen Thornton in "Hospital and Health Services Review" in 1984 ended with a challenge to the unwary: "Could we as members of a highly developed profession in the United Kingdom assist our colleagues in Zimbabwe to acquire the necessary skills to become a thriving profession in a health care system so clearly modelled on our own?" Allan McNaught found himself in a situation where he was able to take up the challenge. This article outlines his experience in Zimbabwe, over 1987-1989, developing a local training programme for health services administrators. His work was undertaken as part of the World Bank funded "Family Health Project". His formal contract of employment was held by the British Overseas Development Administration, which contributed to most of the Project's "Management Strengthening Component".