HEALTH I

closed

The proposed project is designed to strengthen and expand the capability of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to plan, staff and manage the country's health care system. The project comprises: (a) technical assistance for key departments at MOH, including the Health Manpower Institute (HMI) which has the responsibility of training middle-level health workers; and (b) infrastructure development, particularly for manpower training, including civil works, equipment and supplies. The proposed project's main benefits would be: (i) the strengthening of MOH's planning, management and implementation capacity, particularly for its basic health services/primary health care (BHS/PHC) program; and (ii) the development, through HMI, of health manpower to staff BHS/PHC services and facilities. Project risks relate to: (i) retention of MOH staff; (ii) timely recruitment of qualified experts; and (iii) possible continued underutilization of HMI facilities. These risks are minimized by the strong Government commitment to this project, evidenced by specific measures which the Government has taken.