HPF Delegation visits Minister of Health of South Sudan
Health Pooled Fund (HPF) leadership team paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Riek Gai Kok at his Ministry of Health offices in Juba on 18th July 2019. The delegation comprised of the team leader Mick Robson, and our colleagues from Crown Agents Mr. Ian Dalton and Ms. Pia MacRae.
In his remarks, Dr. Gai Kok was very appreciative of the efforts by HPF in stabilising and strengthening the health system in South Sudan.
“The investments in provision of healthcare which United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DfID), Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Canadian Aid have channelled into our healthcare system through HPF are enormous and have had a huge impact on the delivery of services to communities especially those in rural and hard to reach areas” said Dr. Kok.
In South Sudan, 80% of our people live in rural areas which often are not easy to reach due to various factors like insecurity and natural phenomena. However, HPF through its implementing partners (IPs) have always ensured that these people receive services and drugs he added.
Furthermore, Dr. Gai Kok commended HPF for working hand in hand with his ministry to standardise services across board.
Additionally, Dr. Gai Kok said that the MoH had learnt from the lessons from HPF1 and HPF2 and opted to have standardised services across the healthcare system. Some of the new legislation like the harmonised incentive scale negatively affected the beginning of HPF3 but these challenges have been addressed with healthcare workers returning to their duty stations in majority of the areas which were affected.
Mr. Ian Dalton, a member of Crown Agents board echoed that HPF an important programme for Crown Agents and that he was impressed with how the MoH, HPF and the IPs work hand in hand in delivering services to communities.
“It is quite impressive what has been achieved through the various phases of HPF. Ultimately we are all here to ensure that we collaborate and deliver services to communities who need it the most especially women and children” said Mr. Dalton.
The Undersecretary in the MoH Dr. Makur Matur Kariom urther expounded on the seamless partnership between HPF and the ministry.
“Our model of operation has been a breakthrough with other agencies and partners changing their strategies to mirror the HPF model” – Dr. Matur Kariom.
Additionally, we aim to learn from your supply and distribution team on how to procure, manage and distribute medicines and drugs countrywide he added.
Currently, HPF is supporting and providing incentives for healthcare workers in 801 health facilities in South Sudan.
The Health Pooled Fund (HPF) began its third phase in July 2018 and has funding to run until 2023 by DfID, SIDA, USAID and the Government of Canada.
HPF3 will support delivery of essential primary health care at the community, primary healthcare facilities and secondary referral hospitals. It will enable the strengthening of the referral system at all levels of health care. In addition, HPF3 will support the stabilisation of local health systems and the strengthening of community ownership and governance structures. Finally, HPF3 will be responsible for the procurement and supply chain management of essential medical commodities.