Bristol Leadership & Change Centre recently hosted an international workshop focused on applying the Leadership and Engagement for Improved Accountability and Delivery of Services (LEAD) Framework in African healthcare contexts. Coordinated by BLCC’s Professor Peter Case, the event welcomed delegates from the Centre for Innovation in Global Health (Stanford University), the Department of Disease Control (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), and HEALTHQUAL (University of California, San Francisco).
Professor Peter Case has been active in global health for the past twelve years, collaborating with partners such as the Malaria Elimination Initiative (University of California, San Francisco), Centre for Innovation in Global Health (Stanford University), HEALTHQUAL, and the Department of Disease Control (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). The LEAD work focuses on improving the management and leadership of healthcare programs in Africa through Organization Development change interventions and Quality Assurance techniques. Peter is one of the main architects of the LEAD methodology, which has been field-tested on projects funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and other sponsors from 2014 to 2025. These projects aim to enhance service delivery for malaria and HIV/AIDS healthcare in Africa. LEAD interventions also include healthcare staff capacity-building and training elements accredited by the UWE PG Cert in Professional Practice in Change Leadership. The methodology has achieved significant health impacts in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Namibia, as documented in journals such as BMC Public Health, Malaria Journal, and the American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.
Currently, the LEAD team is preparing for a three-year MRC/UKRI-funded project to study the impact of malaria vaccine rollouts and other preventative measures in West Africa. In collaboration with Population Services International, the team is also developing a malaria elimination initiative funded by BMGF for the Zanzibar National Malaria Control Programme.
The workshop began with a welcome address by Professor Gareth Edwards, Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange. Professor Paschal Anisoke, Director of UWE’s Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation, and Jimi Ogunnusi, who leads UWE’s Africa Strategy, also met with the LEAD team.
HEALTHQUAL’s Dr. Joseph Murungu highlighted the challenges faced by the African continent due to recent drastic reductions in healthcare funding announced by the US Administration. The discussions focused on how LEAD will need to adapt to and accommodate these changes as it moves forward with malaria research and service delivery interventions.
Additionally, the team is in the process of establishing a new international NGO, the LEAD Ubuntu Global Foundation, which will support future health system improvement interventions and foster resilience. Part of the workshop was dedicated to discussing the practicalities of setting up this Foundation.
Despite the difficulties faced by health systems in Africa, Professor Roly Gosling from LSHTM was optimistic about LEAD’s prospects and strongly endorsed the team’s efforts. He praised the impactful outcomes of their healthcare research and emphasized the need to scale up activities while reducing implementation costs.
Team members left the intensive two-day workshop with a renewed sense of purpose and vigour.
Thanks go to Ripley Williamson King for her logistical support and ensuring the smooth running of this event.