WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 – The World Bank has sanctioned a $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA)* to empower Mali. This funding aims to elevate the availability and utilization of crucial, high-quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition services, while simultaneously fortifying health emergency preparedness in designated regions.
Leveraging a Results-Based Financing (RBF) methodology, the initiative, titled “Promoting Inclusive Health System Resilience for All in Mali,” or Keneya Yiriwali (in Bambara), seeks to enhance the overall caliber of essential health services. This particularly focuses on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) by broadening coverage areas and escalating service levels across the healthcare pyramid. The project will finance necessary inputs and performance-based payments within targeted regions and educational institutions, contingent on resource availability, to boost service delivery efficacy and accessibility. This expansion notably encompasses climate-vulnerable zones and communities, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a distinct emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Furthermore, the project endeavors to optimize the efficiency of health sector expenditures through improved budgetary resource management, the consolidation of health financing, and information systems designed to link budgets directly to performance outcomes.
“The extension of Results-Based Financing, which integrates both energy-related climate risks and emergency risk management, serves as a pivotal driver for improving the provision of quality healthcare services to the population under the Keneya Yiriwali project. It builds upon the achievements of the Accelerating Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU) project, which significantly enhanced healthcare access, quality scores, medication availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions,” explained Clara de Sousa, World Bank Country Director for Mali. “RBF has proven to be a transformative instrument, strengthening the capabilities of health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipment upgrades throughout Mali.”
The comprehensive IDA operation totals $125 million, comprising the $100 million IDA credit and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). This GFF contribution includes $15 million provided by the government of the Netherlands through a co-financing arrangement. This synergistic partnership was instrumental in the effective implementation of the RBF approach from 2020 to 2024 via the PACSU program in Mali.
“Building on prior support, the GFF grant and co-financing from the government of the Netherlands will foster strong alignment in Mali to enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents,” stated Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system is crucial for ensuring the needs of the most remote and climate-vulnerable communities are met.”
Keneya Yiriwali is set to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, impacting a total population of 15.4 million inhabitants, including 3 million children under the age of five and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its coverage area will expand from the regions initially supported by PACSU—Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara—to encompass new regions characterized by the highest poverty rates, such as Tombouctou, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, alongside Commune VI of the Bamako district.
*The International Development Association (IDA) is the arm of the World Bank dedicated to assisting the world’s poorest nations. Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and low- or zero-interest loans to fund projects and programs designed to spur economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA stands as one of the principal funders for 76 of the globe’s poorest countries, with 39 located in Africa. IDA resources positively impact the lives of 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities in 113 countries, with annual commitments averaging $21 billion over the past three years, approximately 61% of which is directed towards Africa.
