Crown Agents Scoops British Expertise Development Project of the Year

LONDON, November 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Crown Agents has won the Development Project of the Year award at the 2011 British Expertise International Awards for helping to revitalise Zimbabwe's health system.

Judges praised Crown Agents' assistance on the Zimbabwe Health Worker Retention Scheme for "winning in a strong field and providing a practical development solution in a very difficult environment."

In partnership with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health & Child Welfare, DFID and other stakeholders, Crown Agents implemented a health worker payment retention scheme in 2008 to tackle increasing economic instability, a crumbling health system, health worker absenteeism and a cholera epidemic.

Results were immediate with a 20-30% jump in staff attendance, reaching almost 100% today, while donors have paid 18,000 workers US$70 million, retaining more than 90% of workers.

Zimbabwe's Health Services Board executive director, Ruth Kaseke, said: "Congratulations, HSB is grateful to all partners for the support they have given to health workers and for the improved use of public health institutions."

Crown Agents' senior consultant, Tristan Burton, was 'highly commended' in the Young Consultant category for spearheading a capacity building training programme for civil society organisations and for leading Crown Agents' work on the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Crown Agents was also shortlisted in the Development Project category for supporting key ministries in Ha?ti to rebuild their institutions and infrastructure following the earthquake in January 2010.

British Expertise chief executive, Graham Hand, said: "We were delighted by the quality of this year's entries, which demonstrate that our member companies are at the cutting edge of innovation and quality across a range of professional services."

Notes to Editors

Crown Agents is an international development company specialising in health systems strengthening, economic growth & trade and aid effectiveness & fiduciary management. We work with governments, donors and other partners on projects in over 100 countries and with offices in 33 countries, to reduce poverty, improve health and increase prosperity.  We also offer training courses along with many capacity building initiatives.  

The British Expertise International Awards recognise excellence in design, planning, management and construction of overseas projects. They support the continued outstanding success of UK professional services throughout the world and are awarded annually by British Expertise, an independent not-for-profit organisation.  

Contact:    
Daniela Brakewell
Senior Communications Manager
Tel: +44(0)20-8710-6303
http://www.crownagents.com.

SOURCE Crown Agents

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