National Health Technical Assistance Program (NHTAP)

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The National Health Technical Assistance Program (NHTAP) will target policy, mid-level and service delivery agents/actors with a range of technical activities (TA). The program will build on the legacy of previous USAID TA programs, while exploring innovative and evidence-based approaches to strengthening care seeking, access to and quality of proven health and nutrition interventions. NHTAP will also enhance the resilience and sustainability of the national health system through improved performance and engagement of the public and private health sectors. With over 2,400 active health facilities, Afghanistan has achieved significant progress in making basic services available to the most deprived populations. Over 80 percent of health facilities have at least one female health worker, and morbidity and mortality statistics have improved significantly. Nevertheless, too many women and children still die of preventable health problems. Lessons learned from 15 years of USAID health programming in Afghanistan indicate that positive health outcomes are constrained by: a) poor governance of the health system; b) insufficient access to cost effective and high impact primary and secondary health services; c) suboptimal quality of healthcare services within public and private health facilities; and d) detrimental knowledge, attitudes, and practices of individuals and communities towards health and well-being.

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