Health and Social Welfare Systems Strengthening Quarterly Technical Performance Report: Fiscal Year 15, Quarter One

The project aims to strengthen governance and supply chain processes, improve health sector funds management, enhance management and operations capacity, and strengthen the health and social welfare workforce in Mozambique. The project's approach recognizes that system improvements make a larger impact when implemented across health systems building blocks. The project collaborates across the Ministry of Health (MISAU) and the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare (MMAS) to achieve its objectives. During the period of October 1 through December 31, 2014, the project made significant progress against its objectives. One of the key achievements was the approval and dissemination of the Provincial-Level Financial Procedures Manual by MISAU. This manual was developed by FORSSAS in concert with the Directorate of Administration and Finance (DAF), the Provincial Directorate of Health (DPS), and local hospitals. The manual aims to standardize transparent procedures for more efficient and effective financial management of health funds. Another notable achievement was the improvement of the Central Medical Store's (CMAM) financial accounting module. FORSSAS staff installed and set up the financial accounting module of the Primavera software system used at CMAM. The project gathered business and technical requirements to customize the module to integrate with existing CMAM processes and meet reporting needs not addressed by e-SISTAFE. The project also proposed a Democracy and Governance (D&G) approach for Buzi District. The concept note included information on the project's approach to D&G strengthening, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of D&G activities, and a six-month workplan focusing on activities in Buzi District. The project submitted the concept note to USAID and is awaiting additional feedback. Furthermore, the project presented preliminary findings of the National Health Account (NHA) at meetings with ministerial agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders critical to the NHA process. MISAU, who provided comments on the findings, was pleased with the preliminary report and looks forward to understanding the policy implications of the findings when the next version of the report is shared. The project also worked with MMAS to encourage the incorporation of a targeted budget line item in the coming year as part of the Ministry's contribution to the courses. For the first time ever, MMAS budgeted a small amount for competency-based training activities and plans to increase the budget year over year. This represents an unprecedented step toward local commitment to the sustainability of these cadre development programs. The project's key result areas include: 1. Increased Effectiveness in Health Governance: This result area focuses on strengthening the governance and management capacity of the health sector, including the development of policies, strategies, and plans to improve health outcomes. 2. Improved Management of Health Sector Financing: This result area aims to improve the financial management of the health sector, including the development of financial management systems, budgeting, and financial reporting. 3. Strengthened Management and Operations Capacity: This result area focuses on strengthening the management and operations capacity of the health sector, including the development of human resources, supply chain management, and logistics. 4. Improved Management and Retention of Health and Social Welfare Staff: This result area aims to improve the management and retention of health and social welfare staff, including the development of training programs, competency-based training, and career development opportunities.