The World Bank www.worldbank.org has approved $105 million for the Government of Mozambique’s “Primary Health Care Strengthening Program for Results.” Twenty five million is being provided by the Global Financing Facility (GFF), www.globalfinancingfacility.org a multi-stakeholder partnership www.worldbank.org/ida. The GFF Trust Fund is supported by Canada, Japan, Norway, the UK, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and MSD for Mothers.
An additional $80 million will come from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) www.worldbank.org/ida. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s poorest countries with IDA helping thirty nine countries in Africa.
A recent assessment of the primary healthcare system in Mozambique indicates the country is not yet on track to reach “Sustainable Development Goals” for achieving optimum healthcare goals. Several weaknesses and challenges include differences in provider competencies, low adherence to clinical guidelines, high levels of dropouts for child immunizations, and little continuity in care delivery over time.
In response to the challenges, the Government of Mozambique has developed a five year program (2017-2021) to focus on Reproductive, Maternal. Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition which is prioritized in the program. The five year program focuses on coverage, quality, and access to essential primary healthcare services as well as data collection and improving the ability to monitor health and healthcare in Mozambique.
The program addressing healthcare needs in the country will use a financing instrument called “Program-for-Results” (PforR) which allows for disbursements to happen only in a phased manner and is based on achieving pre-agreed targets.
The program includes eleven indicators established jointly with the Ministry of Health and Health Partners. The goal for using the PforR tool is to provide technical assistance, capacity development, coordination, and monitoring to support improved service delivery in the country.