Mali’s health system boost: World Bank and partners invest in inclusive care and resilience
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 – The World Bank has greenlit a 100 million dollar credit from the International Development Association (IDA)* to bolster Mali’s efforts in enhancing access to and utilization of essential, high-quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent, and nutritional (RMNCAH+N) health services. This significant investment also aims to fortify health emergency preparedness across designated regions.
Operating under a Results-Based Financing (RBF) framework, the initiative, dubbed “Promoting Inclusive Health System Resilience for All in Mali,” or Keneya Yiriwali in Bambara, seeks to elevate the overall quality of critical health services. It specifically targets RMNCAH+N services by expanding coverage and strengthening various levels of the health system’s infrastructure. The project will fund necessary resources and performance-linked payments in targeted regions and schools, leveraging available funds to improve service delivery and availability. This expansion encompasses climate-vulnerable areas, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a particular emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Furthermore, the project endeavors to optimize the efficiency of health sector expenditures through improved budgetary management, the consolidation of health financing, and advanced information systems that link financial allocations to performance outcomes.
“The expansion of Results-Based Financing, which now integrates both energy-related climate risks and emergency risk management, is a key driver for delivering quality healthcare services to communities through the Keneya Yiriwali project. It builds upon the successes of the project to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU), which substantially improved healthcare utilization, quality scores, medicine availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions,” explained Clara de Sousa, the World Bank’s Operations Manager for Mali. “RBF has proven to be a transformative mechanism, empowering health facilities, fostering local recruitment, driving infrastructure development, and equipping laboratories throughout Mali.”
The total IDA operation amounts to 125 million dollars, comprising the 100 million dollar IDA credit and an additional 25 million dollar grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). Of the GFF grant, 15 million dollars are co-financed by the government of the Netherlands. This collaborative partnership was instrumental in the effective implementation of the RBF approach in Mali from 2020 to 2024 via the PACSU program.
“Building on previous support, the GFF grant and co-financing with the Netherlands government will ensure strong alignment in Mali to improve health services for women, children, and adolescents,” stated Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system can help guarantee that the needs of the most hard-to-reach and climate-vulnerable communities are met.”
Keneya Yiriwali is set to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, impacting a total population of 15.4 million inhabitants, including 3 million children under five years old and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its coverage area will expand beyond the regions initially supported by PACSU – Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara – to include new regions such as Tombouctou, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, which report the highest poverty rates, as well as Commune VI within the Bamako district.
*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s institution dedicated to assisting the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and low- or zero-interest loans to fund projects and programs designed to stimulate economic growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA stands as one of the largest funders for the 76 poorest nations globally, with 39 of these located in Africa. IDA resources positively impact the lives of 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities in 113 countries. Its annual commitments have averaged 21 billion dollars over the past three years, with approximately 61% allocated to Africa.
