Health System Strengthening Support Program

Project completed

With its contribution to the health common fund, Switzerland supports the Government of Mozambique, in particular local governments, to support equitable access to primary health services focused on women, children and people living in rural areas. As the current format of the health common fund is going to end in 2024, Switzerland, with its last contribution, will advocate for improved coordination among donors and the various existing health funds.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mozambique
Health
Governance
Health systems strengthening
Primary health care
Decentralisation
01.01.2022 - 25.04.2024
CHF  2’000’000
Background

Mozambique remains among the ten poorest countries in the world. Despite improvements over the last 5 years, the maternal mortality rate in Mozambique (86 to 75/100’000 live births from 2017 to 2021) remains high (WHO standards: 70/100’000 live births). The North of the country suffers even lower coverage than the rest of the country, including lower investments and resource allocation.

Since 2003 Switzerland contributes with its Health System Strengthening Support Program to the multi-donor financed PROSAUDE Common Fund (PCF), supporting the Government of Mozambique in improving equitable access to primary health services for people living in rural areas (with a focus on women and children). The SDC Health System Strengthening Support Program Phase VII contributed to the government PCF Phase III, based on an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Procedures Manual between PCF donors and the government. In July 2022 the MoU was extended until April 2024.

Objectives To support Mozambique in its efforts to provide more and better essential primary health care services, universally accessible, through a decentralized and strengthened health system.
Target groups

People resident in Mozambique (more than 31 mio.), in particular poor people, women and children as main users of primary health care services.

The major share (up to 80%) of the common fund for the health sector is allocated to local governments who are responsible for providing basic health care for local communities.

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: The government reduces geographic and populations group inequalities for access and use of health services.

Outcome 2: The Health Sector institutions, increase efficiency in resource allocation and utilization.

Outcome 3: The national and decentralised level Health authorities adopt and institutionalise policy changes and new practices based on tested programme approaches informed by evidence of local realities.

Results

Expected results:  

-    The capacity of the health service personnel and infrastructure is improved;

-    The inequalities to access health services are reduced;

-    National and sub-national health authorities increase the efficiencies in resource allocation and utilization;

-    While Switzerland exits the PCF, it focuses on supporting improved donor and funds coordination.


Results from previous phases:  

-    PROSAUDE managed to disburse funds at decentralized level (80% of funds) according to the allocation criteria formula defined in the program’s Procedures Manual. Since 2019 all Health District  Directorates are receiving and managing PROSAUDE funds;

-    Health Provincial and District Directorates are able to better plan, manage and execute their resources increased; 

-    A Health Financing Strategy was elaborated, however not yet formally approved.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Foreign state institution
  • Central State of South East
  • Foreign private sector South/East


Other partners

Ministry of Economics and Finance

Ministry of Health for the Bilateral Agreement

Coordination with other projects and actors

Projects: WASH common Fund; Safeguard Young People; GoTAS; Cabo Delgado Health Promotion and Decentralization for inclusive development; Humanitarian Projects.

Common Fund Partners: Spain, Flanders, Italy, Ireland, UNFPA.

Additionally in Swap: World Bank, USG, GFATM, WHO, NGOs; UK, Germany.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’987’658 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   72’034’358
Project phases

Phase 8 01.01.2022 - 25.04.2024   (Completed)

Phase 7 01.01.2017 - 31.12.2019   (Completed) Phase 6 01.01.2013 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 5 01.01.2012 - 31.12.2013   (Completed) Phase 3 01.01.2010 - 31.12.2011   (Completed)