Mapping and analysis of health financing in South Kivu province (DRC)

Abstract

In South-Kivu, the health system is underfunded due to numerous constraints. Several initiatives have been tested but are insufficient for increasing and sustaining health financing. Analyze the health financing system in South-Kivu, through a mapping as well as quantitative and qualitative analysis of health financing mechanisms. The provincial health financing system is fragmented, with poorly coordinated mechanisms and interventions, leading to duplication of health system strengthening activities in addition to the absence of a mechanism for pooling external funding flows. Costs recovery (i.e. user fees) and external supports are the most widely used schemes while the government hardly contributes to the financing of the provincial health system. Mutual health insurance is supposed to improve access to health care, but its coverage is still extremely low. Results-Based Financing and free health care programs, fully financed by external donors, are irregular and insufficiently sustainable. It would be critical to implement a strategic purchasing model that is anchored in local institutions, owned by all stakeholders, and integrating all existing financing mechanisms, which could be supported by a common fund supporting the provincial health system. The “Single Contract” initiative developed to harmonize, pool, and sustain external programs, could be a good basis in this respect. This would involve strengthening policy dialogue, developing an investment case to support resource mobilization and implementing a joint monitoring and evaluation platform for disbursements led by the provincial health authorities.