World bank bolsters Mali’s inclusive health system resilience

On June 28, 2024, the World Bank announced the approval of a $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA)*. This significant funding is earmarked to bolster Mali’s efforts in enhancing access to and utilization of critical reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent, and nutritional (RMNCAH+N) health services. Furthermore, the initiative aims to strengthen health emergency preparedness across specific regions within the nation.

Dubbed ‘Keneya Yiriwali,’ which translates to ‘Promoting Inclusive Health System Resilience for All in Mali’ in Bambara, this project leverages a Results-Based Financing (RBF) approach. Its primary objective is to elevate the overall standard of essential health services, with a particular focus on RMNCAH+N, by expanding coverage to more areas and higher tiers of the health system. The funding will support crucial inputs and performance-based payments in targeted regions and schools, contingent on available resources, thereby improving service delivery and accessibility. The expanded scope encompasses climate-vulnerable communities, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a special emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Ultimately, the project seeks to optimize expenditure quality within the health sector through enhanced budgetary resource management, health financing defragmentation, and integrated information systems that link budgets with performance outcomes.

“The expansion of RBF, integrating both energy-related climate risks and emergency risk management, is a critical driver for enhancing the provision of quality healthcare services to the population through the Keneya Yiriwali project,” emphasized Clara de Sousa, the World Bank’s Operations Director for Mali. She further noted, “This initiative builds upon the achievements of the Accelerating Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU) project, which significantly improved healthcare utilization, quality scores, medicine availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions. RBF has proven to be a transformative instrument, strengthening the capabilities of health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipment in Mali.”

The comprehensive IDA operation totals $125 million. This sum comprises the $100 million IDA credit and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF), with $15 million of the GFF contribution originating from the Government of the Netherlands through a co-financing arrangement. This established partnership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the RBF approach in Mali from 2020 to 2024, primarily through the PACSU initiative.

“Building on prior support, the GFF grant and co-financing with the Government of the Netherlands will ensure a robust alignment in Mali to enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents,” remarked Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. He underscored the broader impact, stating, “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system can help meet the needs of the hardest-to-reach and most climate-vulnerable communities.”

The Keneya Yiriwali project is poised to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, impacting an estimated 15.4 million people in total, including 3 million children under five and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its geographical reach will expand beyond the regions initially covered by PACSU—Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara—to encompass new areas with high poverty rates such as Tombouctou, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, alongside Commune VI of the Bamako district.

*The International Development Association (IDA) serves as the World Bank’s entity dedicated to assisting the world’s poorest nations. Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and zero- or low-interest loans to fund initiatives and programs designed to foster economic growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance the lives of the most vulnerable. It stands as a leading financier for 76 of the globe’s lowest-income countries, with 39 of these located in Africa. IDA’s resources have positively impacted the lives of 1.6 billion individuals. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities across 113 countries, with its annual commitments averaging $21 billion over the past three years, approximately 61% of which has been directed towards Africa.