Support to Strengthening Governance and Policy Dialogue in Health Sector in Moldova

The Moldova health sector is undergoing deep reforms aimed at improving the population health status, through ensuring accessible and affordable qualitative health services. The pace of reforms varies and is not as rapid as expected due to political, financial and institutional reasons. Nevertheless, progress has been achieved in stabilizing the health care financing and in improving the access to basic health services, through the introduction of a mandatory health insurance and developing primary health care based on family medicine. These improvements resulted in better health indicators.

The project will improve the steering of the health sector by working in three areas: National health authorities, Policy environment and key national health institutions. The impact of this work will be felt at population level, by better financial protection (7% reduction of out-of-pocket money) healthier behaviors, and reduction of Non-Communicable Diseases incidence.

The target groups of the project are policy makers at all levels: health managers, public health specialists and health workers representing the Ministry of Health, NHIC, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, National School of Public Health, Public Health Centre(s) and the National Centre of Health Management. The final beneficiary is the general population which will enjoy improved access to and better quality health services as a result of implemented policies and strategies.

• The national health authorities steer and manage the health system in an effective and evidence based manner
• The key national health institutions have improved their performance and capacities to implement reforms in their respective areas

Both outcomes contribute to significant changes for the population (i.e. reduction of private expenditures volume).

Results from previous phases:  

In the first phase of two years, a lot of preparation was done, which will yield more concrete results in the proposed phase. For example, the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) was supported with review of and implementation support for its institutional development strategy. This led to the decision between the Ministry of Health and NHIC, to start strategic purchasing of medical services, which will now be supported by the project. This will increase efficient use of funds and quality of services. On a more general level, the evidence generated and the support provided to the Ministry of Health is currently influencing the strategic decisions taken by the Ministry of Health, such as the seffing of national targets on Non Communicable Diseases and the decision to restructure the Public Health Structure.

Phase 2 01.12.2015 - 31.12.2019   (Completed)