Dr. Dance Gudeva Nikovska is a coordinator of GFATM funded projects for TB control with the ministry of health in Macedonia. She spoke with us about how she applied her IMDP training in her organisation. “I coordinate the tuberculosis component of the Global Fund grant my country has received which includes managing sub-recipient activity and coordinating grant funds among the sub-grants which are spread out across three ministries of health and seven NGOs. I also prepare reports for donors on a quarterly basis in order to meet funding requirements.
Upon returning home after attending the Budget Planning and Project Management course, I presented to my colleagues the budgeting tools I learned during the course in order to prepare for our application to the Global Fund. The budgeting tools were very useful and can be used in any health programme. They provided easily defined TB activities, but also categorised those activities that fit Global Fund stipulations. It eased our efforts substantially when preparing our own budgets!
There was also a lot of useful training on monitoring and evaluation. Some of the instructors were real encyclopedias of knowledge and their experience was applicable to any setting and programme in TB control.
Since the course, I have changed almost all of my reporting forms based on what was presented during the course. In addition, another technique I picked up from the course was utilising “Energisers” which I now use a lot before and after long meetings which require quite a lot of stamina from everyone involved. It helps motivate staff and boosts their endurance.
But for me, the most important thing was the shared experience with my colleagues in TB control. We all come from different sectors and countries, and I was able to share and learn a lot from the other professionals in my group. I cannot forget some of my peers in the course and the fun and inspiration they provided to me. I have highly recommended the course to my colleagues and other stakeholders, and I sincerely hope they will be exposed to such an international community in TB control.” |
