The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to harmonizing health system strengthening. It has taken bold steps by signing an international Health Partnership (IHP+) country compact and leading a scoping mission of experts from various partner organizations on health financing.
MARCH 08, 2012: The IHP+ compact, signed on December 19, 2011, provides a framework for adherence by all signatories in Sierra Leone to the Paris Declaration principles. These arrangements include: alignment with national systems; harmonization among agencies; and mutual accountability among partners and the state to better align country priorities and processes in planning, reporting, and financial management. The compact agreements provide a solid basis for the functioning of the HHA mechanism.
The signing of the compact was followed by a scoping mission to Sierra Leone in order to better understand government and donor plans to harmonize and align health financial resources. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), the mission team comprised of experts from GAVI, Global Fund, World Bank and WHO. The team also consulted with the EU and DFID. The aims of the consultations were to explore the current situation and to determine next steps. This includes harmonization and alignment behind the national health plan and government systems & procedures. The scoping mission part of a series to help countries use new and existing funds more effectively for health systems development in line with the approach of IHP+.
The scoping mission is of particular interest to HHA partners as they will this year be discussing and promoting an agenda of closer cooperation between ministries of health and of finance as set out in the Africa Investment Case publication.
A follow up mission to Sierra Leone is planned March.
Signatures of the Sierra Leone country Compact:
• Ministry of Health and Sanitation
• Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
• Ministry of Local Government and Internal Affairs
• World Bank
• Department for International Development of the British Government
• African Development Bank
• Government of Ireland
• The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS
• United Nations Population Funds
• United Nations Children’s Fund
• World Health Organization
• Africa Mercy
• Christian Association of Sierra Leone
• Medical Research Centre
• Health for All Coalition.
