India: Rajasthan Health Systems Development Project

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The Rajasthan Health Systems Development Project for India will assist Rajasthan in improving the health status of it s population, in particular the poor and underserved population. Specifically, the project will increase access to and improve the quality of health care. The project has three main components, one of which mainly focuses on the poor and tribal population. Component 1 improves the state's institutional capacity for health policy development and planning by establishing a Strategic Planning Cell that focuses on designing and implementing strategies for public-private partnership, and developing contracting mechanisms and carrying out a diagnostic assessment, and designing a regulatory framework. The component also improves the health management information system, and supports a variety of training activities on health management, clinical aspects, waste management, equipment maintenance and behavior change communication. Component 2 physically renovates and upgrades district hospitals and health centers, implements a health care waste management system, establishes an institutional framework, trains staff and workers, improves the quality of clinical services, and strengthens the current referral system. Component 3 supports interventions to improve access to health care among disadvantaged populations, especially the tribal population and these households below the poverty line. Specifically, it carries out information, education, and communication campaigns; targets a new strategy aimed at improving health services for tribal and poor populations that focuses on improved service delivery, health camps, non-financial incentives to recruit medical personnel, and incorporates tribal medicine; and uses innovative mechanisms to reduce financial barriers to health care.