Support for the health care system in the South Kivu region
Project description
Title: Supporting the health system in South Kivu (PASS)
Commissioned by: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Health of the South Kivu province
Overall term: 2015 to 2023
Context
The state of health of the population in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is precarious. The difficult security situation, poverty, and geographical and cultural aspects impair health care for many people.
The province of South Kivu has the highest mortality rates in the country, especially among mothers and children. In addition, malaria, acute respiratory infections, malnutrition and parasitic diseases as well as regular epidemics cause health problems.
Objective
People’s health has improved in the eight supported health zones. The population benefits from a wider range of services, better service quality and easier access to medical services.
Approach
The project is helping to introduce a bonus scheme for health care staff and to develop a new planning system for the supply of medicines and a price list. It is also strengthening administrative structures in the province, with the aim of improving the cooperation between the individual actors and institutions. Finally, it is supporting the provincial laboratory in carrying out studies and implementing a risk-warning system.
The project works with teams of experts in the provincial capital of Bukavu as well as with the Ministry of Health (MPS), South Kivu’s Health Department (DPS) and the provincial health authority. An estimated 1.5 million people in the eight health zones are expected to benefit from the activities in the long term.
The latest project phase, which has been under way since May 2021, involves providing institutional strengthening of the health system and expanding performance-based financing. A further focus is on promoting good governance and gender equality in the health sector. In addition, the system of existing health insurance plans is being further developed to provide universal health care.
Last update: August 2021