STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

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The objectives of the Strengthening Public Health Care System Project are to: (i) expand the coverage, quality, and equity in utilization of priority health services provided under the Integral and Integrated Health Care Service Networks (RIISS); and (ii) strengthen the Ministry of Health's (MINSAL) stewardship capacity to manage essential public health functions in El Salvador. The project has four components. Component 1 involves the expansion of priority health services and Programs by (i) Strengthening the quality and delivery capacity of priority health services under the RIISS through: (a) the gradual implementation of the Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) strategy, which includes the acquisition of medical equipment and the maintenance and minor rehabilitation of facilities; and (b) the improved delivery of selected priority public health programs, including those addressing maternal health, reproductive and sexual health, teenage pregnancy, child health, nutrition, dengue control, and chronic kidney disease, and (ii) by supporting the implementation of the National Medical Emergencies System (SEM) in about 16 Eligible Hospitals through: (a) improving the coordination between the national hospital system and other entities such as MINSAL, Salvadorian Social Security Institute (ISSS), Ministry of Defense, the National Civil Police, Solidarity Fund for Health (FOSALUD), and the Red Cross; (b) supporting the installation of a national call system for emergencies; (c) improving the resuscitation room equipment and the ambulance fleet; (d) training of medical and paramedic staff in the management of medical emergencies; and (e)strengthening medical emergency response at the community level. Component two is the institutional strengthening of (i) MINSAL's institutional and management capacity to perform essential public health functions through: (a) the improvement of the Single Unified Health Information System (SUIS); (b) the implementation of a national pharmaceutical policy aimed to enhance quality,efficiency and security in the access of rational use of medicines as well as transparency in procurement; and (c) the support of the activities of the National Health Institute (including training of clinicians and lab technicians, surveillance, knowledge generation and research) and the Central Laboratory; and (ii) developing an emergency preparedness plan for Public Health Emergencies, and the implementing of this plan through financing of the Eligible Public Health Expenditures. Component three is project management and monitoring of the project activities through semi-annual, external technical reviews, annual health facility surveys to assess the achievement of health coverage and results targets, and an impact evaluation.