Results-based financing of maternal and newborn health II

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The FC measure is based on a joint initiative by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Norway's former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and fits into the existing commitment of the two countries in Malawi's health sector. As part of the first phase (component B of the SWAp III project), both Norway and Germany pledged USD 5.0 million each. Norway has mandated Germany to implement its contribution. The second phase includes a contribution from the German side of EUR 5.0 million. This was increased by a further EUR 5.0 million in November 2014. The aim of the second phase is to consolidate the content, increase geographical coverage and extend the implementation period of the original project. The program uses Results-Based Financing (RBF) with both demand- and supply-side elements. These are intended to increase the number of births in health stations, improve the quality of the health services offered and thus contribute to improving the health of the target group. The target groups are pregnant women and newborns who live in the catchment area of the participating health facilities, as well as the health personnel of these facilities. The measure is initially being implemented as a pilot approach in Dedza, Mchinji and Ntcheu in the West Central Zone and also in Balaka (South East Zone). Phase I of the project was completed at the end of 2016. The second phase of the project, which started in September 2014, and its extension in November 2014, will extend the overall duration of the project until the end of 2019. Studies accompanying the project have demonstrated positive effects of the RBF approach and in principle offer a good basis for planning a (nationwide) implementation of the initiative through alternative financing (without an infrastructure component). However, in our view and that of other donors, the MoHP's ideas in this regard are not effective, which is why (interim) financing, for example via the HSJF, does not currently seem likely.