Rwanda Health Systems Strengthening Project: Quarterly Report (October-December 2015)

The project aimed to enhance the resiliency of the Rwandan health sector to address new challenges and build a country-owned sustainable health system capable of leading and managing change. Technical support was provided to strengthen health systems, health financing, leadership, management, and governance. Key achievements in institutionalized health systems thinking approaches and practices included identifying and addressing structural and process barriers to enhance leadership and stewardship. A baseline assessment report was conducted to identify areas for improvement. Leadership, management, and governance training was provided to increase understanding and practice of health system strengthening at all levels. Multi-stakeholder, evidence-based decision making for efficient and equitable allocation of resources was also attained. Improved multi-level GOR policy, planning, and implementation capacity was achieved through strengthened national and district-level capacity for planning. Support was provided to the PHFIS TWG and Joint Sector Review (JSR), and a Health Systems Governance Technical Advisor was recruited. Provincial and district health sector coordination programs were also supported. Increased multi-sectoral participation in policy, strategy, and implementation was achieved through validation of the revised and extended human resources for health (HRH) strategic plan and capacity building of PTAs. Increased revenue mobilization by the health sector was achieved through improved functioning and sustainability of an integrated and equitable health insurance system. Private sector costing was conducted, and support was provided to CBHI post-transition to RSSB. Strengthened capacity of the MOH/RBC to carry out economic analyses and financial feasibility of health system interventions was also achieved. Finance reporting system development for district hospitals was conducted, and comprehensive CHW cooperative assessment was completed. Improved and expanded quality health services were achieved through improved, updated, and institutionalized service standards and quality assurance/accreditation. Hospital accreditation progress assessment was conducted, and capacity building of accreditation surveyors and facilitators was completed. National Quality and Patient Safety Goals for 2016-2017 were also developed. Improved M&E, culture of learning, and knowledge-based practices were achieved through data production, conversion, and increased evidence-based decision making and practices. Support was provided to strategic and operational planning for MOH activities, and enhancing the use of existing data at all levels was conducted. Institutionalization of existing health information platforms was also completed. Project management, administration, and communication were also key areas of focus. Recruitment of new staff was completed, and scope of work development for project counterparts was conducted. Collaboration with other health sector partners was also achieved, and a custom indicator data collection tool was developed and pre-tested. Participation in USAID communications TWG and strategic communication for knowledge exchange and learning were also conducted.