Contacts: In Washington : Herbert Boh +1 (202) 473-3548 hboh@worldbank.org In Brazzaville : Clémentine Maoungou + 242-663-1970 cmaoungou@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, May 29, 2008– The Board of Directors of the World Bank today approved a US$40 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) for a Health System Development Project (PDSS). The purpose of the PDSS is to enhance Congo’s health system by strengthening the Ministry of Health, Social Action and the Family (MSASF), thereby making it possible to combat the main communicable diseases effectively and improve access to quality healthcare for women, children and other vulnerable groups. This project is part of the National Healthcare Development Plan (PNDS) and the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP) intended to improve access to services for the poor. It is also intended to help achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) focusing on reduced infant mortality, improved maternal health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and the control of malaria and other diseases. The Project has four components: Component 1 - Enhancing the leadership capacities required to manage a functional and decentralized health system: This component will strengthen management and leadership capacities at all levels within the Government’s decentralization program. The process will improve the ability to plan and manage sector activities within the framework of a coordinated partnership of stakeholders, and will be implemented through the following sub-components: development of the capacity to efficiently manage a decentralized health system; strengthening of financial management systems; and improved monitoring and evaluation. Component 2 - Establishment of an efficient human resource management system for the healthcare sector: A human resource database containing baseline data has been developed. It will be used to create a Directorate of Health Sector Human Resources distinct from the Ministry’s central departments and responsible for specific HR management functions. This Directorate will have the technical ability to prepare position descriptions and to draw up a roster of technical areas and professions for the whole of the healthcare sector. It will also organize a multisectoral consultative framework enabling it to work with the Ministry of Education with a view to training personnel for employment with the MSASF. This component will include incentives for personnel in all areas (e.g., equitable programs of on-the-job and longer-term training, establishment of more transparent systems of results-based staff assignment and appointment, and merit- and skills-based promotion). The proposed program will receive and put in place a medium-term human resources development plan for the healthcare sector. Component 3 - Rehabilitation and re-equipping of healthcare facilities: The proposed program will use an ongoing inventory of the status of healthcare centers to rehabilitate those facilities, assigning priority to primary healthcare centers and patient referral services. IDA will finance the establishment of a facilities map and a set of standards, and will help the Congolese Government make rational use of its resources to rehabilitate healthcare centers in several phases. Particular attention will be paid to primary care, especially in terms of: rehabilitation, maintenance and construction of infrastructure; and standardization and maintenance of facilities. Component 4: Improved access to a high-quality Package of Essential Services (PES): This component will account for most of the IDA funding and will consist of the following four sub-components: definition and provision of a Package of Essential Services (PES); improved procurement and efficient management of essential drugs and medical supplies; community empowerment; and promotion of equitable access for all to high-quality care. The Health System Development Project (PDSS) will be implemented over a five-year period by the Ministry of Health, Social Affairs and Family. ### For more information on the World Bank in sub-Saharan Africa visit: www.worldbank.org/afr For more information about World Bank activities in Congo, visit: www.worldbank.org/congo For more information on this project, click on: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=349199&menuPK=349247&Projectid=P106851 | 
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