Building capacity in the Mongolian health sector: a training methodology based on identified needs assessments.

Mongolian health care is moving from a centrally planned hierarchical basis towards greater decentralisation as part of overall sector wide reform. To identify key needs of health personnel to help to build capacity, we undertook research aimed at assessing priority training areas. The research results indicated gaps and weaknesses in many technical areas, but also significant problems in terms of how Mongolian health organizations function, including rigid structures, isolated management, and little internal communication. These features militate against optimal agency effectiveness. This paper discusses how specific training programs were developed based on quantitative research and an overarching organisation improvement theme emphasizing openness; communication; and participation to maximize the benefits of skills transfer and capacity development.