New Project Aims to Spur Health Reforms, Improve Primary Health Care in Senegal

PR Newswire

BETHESDA, Md., June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To build on the Government of Senegal's recent progress in health reforms, USAID has awarded Abt Associates the Senegal Health Systems Strengthening Plus (HSS+) project, valued at just under $36 million. This award extends the more than 20 years of support provided by Abt to the Government of Senegal and is the follow-on to the current Health Systems Strengthening project.

HSS+ will continue to support the Government of Senegal's efforts to improve primary health care. The project has four objectives: improve health systems governance and finance; increase community involvement in health systems management; improve information and data use for decision-making; and maintain health care gains.

"We are expanding on the strategies we've employed to develop and implement more than 10 major health reforms and help cover more than 566,000 beneficiaries with community-based health insurance," said Dr. Diana R. Silimperi, International Health Division Vice President. "It is a wonderful opportunity to build on this legacy of helping to improve the health of the Senegalese people."

The consortium for HSS+ emphasizes local organizations and geographic and community reach. Local partners include the Senegalese Association Conseil pour l'Action (ACA), which will help strengthen the government's management capacity and systems; African Resources Group (ARG), which brings experience in health policy and management and USAID assistance; and Groupe ISSA, which will provide the Ministry of Health with critical technical assistance on planning, budgeting, and policy development.

Two international organizations, Plan International and World Vision, will conduct community health governance activities through a complementary presence in nearly all Senegal regions. Results for Development Institute (R4D) brings their global leadership on Universal Health Care.

Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation and implementing programs in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and was named one of the 40 international development innovators. The company has offices in the U.S., Australia and the U.K., and program offices in more than 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com