Papers by Gebremichael Habtom
This study reviews decades of civil service reforms in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries in gen... more This study reviews decades of civil service reforms in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries in general and in Eritrea in particular. It analyses success and failure stories of Civil Service Reforms (CSR) in SSA countries. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected through interview and observation. Secondary data was collected from various sources such as human resource policies, proclamations, and government and UN publications and reports inter alias with relevant books and journals, international and national reports, published and unpublished documents. The study seeks also to answer the following two research questions: Why civil service reforms in most SSA countries were not successful? What are the main factors that affect civil service reforms in SSA countries? To answer these questions, a deductive approach was adopted in the study methodology. Success and failure stories of civil service reforms in SSA countries were explored in general, and lessons were drawn for Eritrea, in particular, based on the analysis of the reform experience of SSA countries. The study found that successful CSR requires sustained political will as much as technical capacity. The experience in many SSA countries shows that CSRs cannot be succeeded unless the reform efforts are contextualized within a country's specific conditions such as its culture, politics, sociology, history, economy, ideology and values. CSR in developing countries requires well established political system; a stable, workable constitutional system; a viable economic system; and unified elite capable of guiding orderly change. CSR should also be pragmatic and incremental, undertaking its transformation in tandem with social, economic and political changes.
This study, analyzes the challenges of national agricultural research institutions (NARIs) in Eri... more This study, analyzes the challenges of national agricultural research institutions (NARIs) in Eritrea from organizational perspective. It examines the institutional and research capacities, and the human and financial capabilities of NARIs. The data for this study was taken from a study conducted in June 2017 in the Ministry of Agriculture. The study used both survey and case study methodologies. The study seeks to answer the following two research questions: what are the challenges of NARIs in Eritrea? What can be learned from the experience of SSA countries NARIs? In this study, it is found that NARI has inadequate human, material and financial resources and limited research agenda. NARI has shortage of operational funding and trained personnel in specialized areas, which require higher education level. The current agricultural research system under NARI is less responsive to the various challenges and constraints of agricultural production and development in Eritrea. NARI should focus on participatory demand driven research methodology and integrate the needs of small-scale and commercial farmers, and improve its management, planning, monitoring and evaluation systems, including physical and human capital, and its research agenda. There is a need for the development of strategy that integrates elements that reinforce and build the present capacity of the agricultural research system.
International Journal of Scientific and Management Research, 2022
The study reviews the major challenges of social protection programs of Eritrea with regards to f... more The study reviews the major challenges of social protection programs of Eritrea with regards to financing, institutional capacity and political support. The data for study was partially taken from the studies conducted in the ministry of labor and Social welfare in May 2019 and November 2020. Both studies used survey and case study methodologies. The study seeks to answer the following two research questions: what are the challenges of the social protection programs in Eritrea? And what lessons can be learned from the experience of Sub-Saharan African countries? To answer these questions a deductive approach was adopted in this study methodology. To this end Sub-Saharan African countries experience of social protection programs are reviewed and analyzed in general and the social protection programs of Eritrea in particular. In this study it is found that in Eritrea social protection programs are less integrated into national plans, inter sectoral coordination and collaboration among government ministries and civil societies is low, budget allocated to social protection programs are in adequate, technical and institutional capacities are in sufficient to develop and administer social protection programs, reliable data on which policies on social protection can be based is hardly available, monitoring and evaluation systems are inadequate :and information dissemination on availability of existing social protection programs are limited. The government should adop and implement broad based social protection policies to mitigate and counteract all sources of vulnerability including chronic crop failure, health epidemics, environmental disasters and other external shocks, and align social protection programs to family policy on education, health, housing and food security. It is believed that the basic strategies and policies of social protection programs of Sub-Saharan African countries would provide a good lesson for developing countries like Eritrea. Eritrea can learn a lot from the experience of Sub-Saharan African countries, both success and failure stories of social protection systems.
This study attempts to develop a pro-poor health care financing system for Eritrea. The study see... more This study attempts to develop a pro-poor health care financing system for Eritrea. The study seeks to answer the following question: can the rich and healthy subsidize the poor and sick in Eritrea? This question is directly related to issues of social insurance and universal coverage. This study was conducted in 2016 in six months period from February to August. In this study, both primary and secondary data sources were used. Interviews were conducted with 35 key health officials and stakeholders. In this study, it is found that lack of purchasing power and financial resources; insufficient knowledge of health insurance schemes and high transaction costs; and lack of supply and information about care possibilities are the main problems for the development of a viable healthcare financing system in Eritrea. As the Ministry of Health is embarking on new pricing and cost recovery strategies, a closer look of its effects on consumers is required, particularly on the poor and vulnerabl...
This study, analyzes the challenges of decentralized agricultural extension system in Eritrea fro... more This study, analyzes the challenges of decentralized agricultural extension system in Eritrea from political and organizational perspectives in relation to the major issues of responsiveness, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, extension system coordination and capacity of service providers. The data for this study was taken from a study conducted in June 2017 in the Ministry of Agriculture. The study used both survey and case study methodologies. The study seeks to answer the following research question: what political and organizational factors have an effect on the delivery of extension services in a decentralized system? In this study, it is found that institutional, technical and managerial capacities have a great effect on the delivery of decentralized extension services. In Eritrea, there are capacity gaps among local government working units to deliver effective and efficient extension services that ensure participation of stakeholders and accountability of service pr...
This study analyses foreign aid effectiveness and development strategies in Eritrea. It attempts ... more This study analyses foreign aid effectiveness and development strategies in Eritrea. It attempts to draw a lesson for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study seeks to answer the following question: “what are the conditions for foreign aid effectiveness in SSA countries”? The data for this study was collected in 2015 in six months period from February to August. In this study, both primary and secondary data sources were used. Interviews were conducted with 45 key government officials and development partners. The study adopts a deductive approach to explaining aid and development in Africa. In this study, it is found that ownership, alignment, harmonization, result orientation, strong institutions and policies, accountability, and coordination and monitoring among aid agencies and partner institutions were the main conditions for aid effectiveness. The study further reveals that, in most SSA countries, absence of good governance was the main challenge for aid effectiveness. A...
Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 2019
China has made considerable progress in economic, social, cultural and political fields since ref... more China has made considerable progress in economic, social, cultural and political fields since reform and opening-up started in 1978. In the last forty years the country lifted over 700 million people out of poverty by implementing large-scale, long-lasting, government-led, and very effective rural poverty alleviation and development plan. In health care financing, the country also achieved universal health insurance coverage for 1.3 billion people in a short time, and that is astonishing. This study tried to draw a lesson for developing countries by analyzing China's rural poverty alleviation programs through health care financing. To this end, a study was conducted in Taijiang County in Guizhou province of the People's Republic of China, in six impoverished villages. Data were collected for this study in a three month period (December 2018 to February 2019) through a questionnaire, focus group discussions and interviews. This study seek to answer the following two questions: What lessons do the Chinese experiments of poverty alleviation through health care financing offer to other developing countries? Are the Chinese experiences replicable elsewhere in the third world? To answer these questions, a deductive approach was adopted in this study methodology. First, China's rural poverty alleviation programs was explored in general and based on this the rural development efforts in Taijiang County, in particular was examined. This study showed that clear government vision and determination, and popular participation have great contribution in China's rural poverty alleviation through health care financing. The government used very effective poverty alleviation approaches that include "comprehensive control and development area by area," "poverty alleviation village by village," "participatory poverty alleviation," and "one plan, implementation year by year". Such approaches have not only made significant contributions to China's rural poverty alleviation, but also become recognized as best practices for poverty alleviation in developing countries. It is believe that the basic strategies, models, and experiences of poverty alleviation of China are significant references for developing countries.
Health Care Governance in Developing Countries: The Case of Eritrea
Health Policy, 2007
In Eritrea neither the state nor the market is effective in providing health insurance to low-inc... more In Eritrea neither the state nor the market is effective in providing health insurance to low-income people (in rural and informal job sector). Schemes intended for the informal sector are confronted with low and irregular incomes of target populations and consequently negligible potential for profit making. Because of this there, are no formal health insurance systems in Eritrea that cover people in the traditional (or informal) sector of the economy. In the absence of formal safety nets traditional Eritrean societies use their local social capital to alleviate unexpected social costs. In Eritrea traditional risk-sharing arrangements are made within extended families and mutual aid community associations. This study reveals that in a situation where the state no longer provides free public health services any more and access to private insurance is denied, the extension of the voluntary mutual aid community associations to Mahber-based health insurance schemes at the local level is a viable way for providing modern health services.
Health Policy, 2007
The purpose of the study was to assess the factors that affect patients' choice of health care se... more The purpose of the study was to assess the factors that affect patients' choice of health care service providers and to analyse the effect of each factor, and to examine the policy implications for future health care provision in Eritrea. The data for this study was collected in a 10-month period from January to October 2003. A total of 1657 households were included in the study. Our findings reveals that education, perceived quality, distance, user fees, severity of illness, socio-economic status and place of residence are statistically significant in the choice of a health care provider. Our study further shows that illness recognition is much lower for poor and less educated individuals. When an illness is recognized by the individual or household, a typical observation is that health care is less likely to be sought when the individual or household is poor and lives far from the facilities, and then only in case of a serious illness. Information on the choice of health care service providers is crucial for planning, organizing and evaluation of health services. The people's perception of disease/illness, their concept of health and the basis for their choice in health care has to be considered in order to respond with appropriate services and information, education and communication programs.
International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Background: Traditional medicine has a long roots and a wide acceptance throughout Eritrea. It is... more Background: Traditional medicine has a long roots and a wide acceptance throughout Eritrea. It is used in the prevention and treatment of physical and mental disorders as well as social imbalance. It is compatible with the prevailing health beliefs and practices in most parts of Eritrea. Traditional Eritrean pharmacopoeia comprises various plant and animal products, spiritual healings, physiotherapy, and traditional surgical practices. Objective: The study aims to assess the perceptions and attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners about traditional medical practice in Eritrea. It tries to promote positive elements of traditional medicine and its integration with modern health care practices as well as in formulating a policy that includes both practices for optimum health care coverage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 in four administrative regions of Eritrea. A sample of 100 Traditional Medical Practitioners and 100 Modern Medical Practitioners were selected for the study. Data was collected through questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. During the study period ten types of TMPs and five types of MMPs (physicians, pharmacists, nurses and health technicians) were approached. Data was analysed through quantitative and qualitative methods. The study adopts a deductive approach to analyse the perceptions and attitudes of modern and traditional medical practitioners about traditional medical practice in Eritrea. Results: The study shows that about 57% of MMPs supported the idea of combined therapy (traditional and modern) for certain types of diseases, and 53% agreed to collaborate with traditional medical practitioners in research and in the treatment of certain diseases in which the traditional medical system is claimed to be effective. The need for collaboration is stressed largely due to the emphasis on the socio-cultural dimensions of health. The overall findings from the responses of both traditional and modern medical practitioners indicated that generally there is goodwill to establish positive relationships and collaborations between both practitioners although there are significant differences not only in their way of thinking but also in their perceptions of man and health. Conclusion: Traditional and modern health care systems are complementary than competitive. Traditional medical system complements the modern health care system in the social, medical and economical dimensions. With proper documentation and scientific research, traditional medicine will solve much of basic health care service problems of the Eritrean people, particularly the underserved rural community. Hence there is a need for the identification, documentation and registration of diseases that can be effectively cured by traditional medicine, as well as training of TMPs in the diagnosis, preparation and dosage control of traditional medicaments.
This study, analyzes the challenges of national agricultural research institutions (NARIs) in Eri... more This study, analyzes the challenges of national agricultural research institutions (NARIs) in Eritrea from organizational perspective. It examines the institutional and research capacities, and the human and financial capabilities of NARIs. The data for this study was taken from a study conducted in June 2017 in the Ministry of Agriculture. The study used both survey and case study methodologies. The study seeks to answer the following two research questions: what are the challenges of NARIs in Eritrea? What can be learned from the experience of SSA countries NARIs? In this study, it is found that NARI has inadequate human, material and financial resources and limited research agenda. NARI has shortage of operational funding and trained personnel in specialized areas, which require higher education level. The current agricultural research system under NARI is less responsive to the various challenges and constraints of agricultural production and development in Eritrea. NARI should ...
English
Journal of African Studies and Development, 2016
Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, Sep 30, 2014
Public administration has always been the tool available to African governments for the implement... more Public administration has always been the tool available to African governments for the implementation of developmental goals and objectives. It is seen as being crucial to the growth and development of African economies. To this end efforts have been made in many African countries to increase efficiency through decentralization, restructuring and privatization. This study presents Eritrea's public administration reform experience, and assesses the extent to which Eritrea has taken up New Public Management reforms. The aim is to show the outcome of reforms on civil service, public enterprises and local government management. It is found that in Eritrea there is a need for periodic review and continuous administrative reform. In the civil service there are absence of promotion, retirement, and lack of competitive wages and salary increments. In local government there are lack of administrative capacity, absence of clear accountability lines and fiscal decentralization, and lack of coordination and information sharing among local government units and line ministries. The Eritrean government should now emphasize on investment in developing human capital towards effective policy formulation, analysis, implementation and evaluation, and on the reform of the public sector itself besides privatization aimed at allowing public enterprises to operate more efficiently and effectively.
Journal of Complementary Medicine & Alternative Healthcare
Health is an integral part of the national development program in Eritrea. Eritrea is an East Afr... more Health is an integral part of the national development program in Eritrea. Eritrea is an East African country, which is bordered with Ethiopia in the south, with Sudan in the north and the west, with Djibouti in the southeast, and with the Red Sea in the east. Eritrea got independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after 30 years of armed struggle. Eritrea's population is estimated to be 5.2 million, with an average life expectancy of 60.4 years and a literacy rate of 67.5 percent [4]. The population pyramid follows an early development pattern: 43% of the population is under 15 years old, 6% above 65 years old and nearly 70% of the 001
Integrating traditional medical practice with primary healthcare system in Eritrea
Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2015
: The purpose of this paper was to assess the perceptions and attitudes of modern medical practit... more : The purpose of this paper was to assess the perceptions and attitudes of modern medical practitioners (MMPs) and traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) about traditional medical practice and to analyze the utilization of traditional medicine in Eritrea.: The data for this study were collected in a 10-month period from January to October 2004. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three sub-zones of Eritrea:: Our study reveals that there is a significant difference in perception and attitude between MMPs and TMPs about traditional medical practice in Eritrea. Their differences lie not only in their way of thinking but also in their perceptions of man and health. Our study further shows that in most rural communities in Eritrea, the use of traditional medicine and self-care is extensive. This is the case even in the presence of the supposedly free/subsidized health care available in government health centers.: Higher confidence in traditional medicine for the treatment of serious illnesses, irrespective of availability of western medical service in many parts of Eritrea, indicates the need for selective integration of traditional medical practice with the primary healthcare system of the country.
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Papers by Gebremichael Habtom