Hospital governance: staff representatives call for a more inclusive reform

The reforms undertaken in the health sector will not produce the expected results without better consideration for staff. This was the message delivered by Siméon Ndjing Faye, president of the Association of Staff Representatives on the Boards of Directors of Public Health Establishments in Senegal (ARPEPS), at the opening of the exchange sessions organized this Saturday, September 26, in Thiès.

Held under the theme "Hospital governance put to the test by reforms", these meetings highlight the challenges faced by public health establishments in a context of transformation of their management methods.

For Siméon Ndjing Faye, hospital reform cannot be reduced to changes in procedures, management, or governance. It must first and foremost take into account those who run the hospitals on a daily basis.

"Staff should not simply be the executors of reforms."

Doctors, paramedics, administrative staff, and technical personnel are directly affected by the ongoing changes. However, according to the president of ARPEPS, their involvement in decision-making remains a key issue.

He therefore calls for participatory and inclusive governance, believing that staff should be more involved in strategic decisions made within institutions.

"Staff should not be mere executors of reforms, but key players in the hospital's strategic decisions," he argued.

The other concern raised relates to the gap between the performance targets assigned to hospitals and the resources made available to them. ARPEPS specifically highlights the need for modernized technical facilities, sufficient staffing levels, and secure funding.

Pressure on officers: the other warning

Siméon Ndjing Faye also stressed the need to protect workers within the framework of the reforms.

According to him, the changes underway must not lead to increased pressure on staff or a deterioration of their working conditions. Career advancement, continuing education, and support for staff in adapting to new management tools are presented as essential conditions for the success of these transformations. The president of ARPEPS also calls for maintaining a calm and harmonious work environment within healthcare facilities.

Beyond demands related to working conditions, the Thiès exchange days emphasize the mastery of governance tools by staff representatives sitting on boards of directors.

Hospital financial statements are a key focus of this work. For ARPEPS, reading and understanding financial statements is essential for administrators to assess the financial situation of their institutions and to participate in informed strategic decisions.

“Financial statements are the true barometer of the financial health” of institutions, stressed Siméon Ndjing Faye.