The World Bank is funding the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) with 150 million dollars, Miss Marie-Fracoise Marie-Nelly, the World Bank’s country Director, said this at the launch of the programme on Thursday in Abuja.
She said: “NSHIP is aimed at making significant contribution towards achieving key health indicators of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“The focus is reduction of maternal and under- five child mortality by reaching a target population of 9.4 million people.
“The target areas are Adamawa, Nasarawa and Ondo States, over a period of five years.
She said the states would lead the way for others, using performance management techniques and increased incentives to health workers to boost quality and uptake of health services.
“I hope these states will show how public money can be invested more smartly to get closer to the MDGs, especially those related to the survival and health of mothers and children.’’
She added that there was additional grant of 21.5 million dollars from the Health Results Innovation Trust Fund of the UK’s Department for International Development and the Government of Norway.
Marie-Francoise said that the Federal Minister of Health would perform the steering role of the project.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu expressed appreciation over the grants, saying that the project would make relevant change in the health indices of the states.
Chukwu said every stakeholder had a role and benefit in the project, especially in the communities.
“Every stakeholder is a shareholder.
“This project proposes to demonstrate that public resources can be effectively leveraged through the strategic use of performance based financing to strengthen accountability in the health sector.
“Evidence for implementation of result based financing in health services in other countries has shown that the health system can be made responsive to the health needs of the citizens.
“This can also be in the areas of positive change in the attitude of health workers to service delivery and improved quality of services,’’ he said.
He thanked the three states for being part of the innovative approach for improving the health system.
The Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Mohammed described the project as a new approach to service delivery.
“For every Nigerian, irrespective of where he or she lives, should be able to access quality care.
“The project will help to remove financial barrier that has always militated against quality health service delivery.
Representatives from the three states expressed gratitude on the support from the World Bank and other stakeholders.