US ambassador to Tanzania Mark B. Childress speaks in a past function. PHOTO|FILE
Dar es Salaam. The US Agency
for International Development (Usaid) has committed $49 million (Sh98
billion) grant to support the health sector in Tanzania through Results
Based Financing (RBF) initiative.
Through a single
donor trust fund administered by the World Bank, Tanzania will receive
$49 million over the next five years, according to a statement sent to
the media.
As a result of the grant the ministry of
Finance has committed to increase its loan allocation to the health
sector by an additional $100 million (Sh200 billion).
In
response to the financial commitment from the government of Tanzania,
US Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Mark B. Childress, said he was optimistic
that the initiative would boost the health sector.
“In
alignment with Big Results Now, this initiative will strengthen the
quality and sustainability of health services in Tanzania,” said Mr
Childress.
The grant will support the Tanzanian
government’s plans to increase access to high quality healthcare
services, which includes rolling out a facility accreditation scheme,
improving the distribution of skilled health workers to regions with
critical shortages, and enhancing community-based health interventions.
The
statement further noted that as part of the scheme, the Medical Stores
Department would also receive performance-based payments to increase the
availability of essential medicines.
Usaid will also
support its partners to provide technical assistance at national,
district, and facility levels, according to the statement.
Tanzania’s
RBF initiative aims to improve the quality of primary healthcare
services in Tanzania, with a focus on maternal, neonatal and child
health services.
RBF priorities in achieving results,
greater value for money, and efficiencies, will help secure Tanzania’s
domestic resources and ensure long-term security in the country’s health
sector.
No comments :
Post a Comment