First 7 Steps to Start the New Year Right

Global health work in 2016 will be more complex than ever. That is why we need to have a simple and effective annual plan to stay on track and contribute to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 3 (SDG3). The job is complex because among other reasons, there are many partners and many goals in international development and many challenges in global health that make starting a brand New Year of effective global health work overwhelming.

Global health work is also complex because we know all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are interdependent and although the job is to work mainly towards SDG3, we also know one cannot go too far without addressing the consequences of poverty, hunger, lack of clean water and sanitation, climate change, insufficient energy, lack gender equality, peace, and justice. In addition, we know that focusing on one disease or one health service is not enough to meet the needs of a country’s growing population and get on the road towards universal health coverage (UHC).

So thousands of health professionals, may find themselves wondering what should be done in 2016 that will make the biggest impact and where we should start. Here are some of the questions my clients are asking me at the start of 2016:

• What can my organization/foundation/country/ hospital work on that effectively and sustainably contributes to the achievement of SDG3?
• What can one person do to move the needle in the light of such a huge and complex agenda? Will my work matter? Should I just focus on one piece of the puzzle and not worry about the whole picture? What is my next step?
• How can I get started right this year so my organization/foundation/ country can account for progress towards SDG3 and ensure that progress is sustainable?
• What can I do now that will contribute and make a measurable difference by 2030? Is there anything?

You see, I have learned from the MDG agenda and know how to ask the right questions to get the right answers. I also know that what I do at work every day contributes to the quarterly achievements of RGH, as what others do contributes to what a organization, foundation, or country achieves. What is achieved will impact the progress of the health sector and whether SDGs will be achieved. I see the big picture, and see what UHC will look like in 2030 and where I fit in that picture and how I can contribute and account for my results to realize the ultimate vision of how global health must work.

Here are the first seven steps that RGH clients will use to start 2016 right:

1. Set annual SDG3 targets for the country or countries where they work
2. Identify their area of accountability in each country
3. Set annual three to seven main organizational goals
4. Set up to three main organizational targets for every quarter for each goal
5. Create individual performance goals and targets aligned with the organizational ones
6. Plan individual strategies to achieve each goal
7. Set up a weekly progress review measures and process

To learn more about RGH’s annual SDG3 planning consulting services, process and tools, call 703-978-3331 or write to info@realizingglobalhealth.com