World Bank bolsters Mali’s health system resilience with new funding

The World Bank has approved a significant credit from the International Development Association (IDA)*, amounting to $100 million. This funding aims to empower Mali in enhancing the accessibility and utilization of crucial reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent, and nutritional (RMNCAH+N) health services. Furthermore, it will fortify the nation’s preparedness for health emergencies within specifically targeted regions.

Employing a Results-Based Financing (RBF) approach, the initiative known as “Promoting the Resilience of the Inclusive Health System for All in Mali,” or Keneya Yiriwali (in Bambara), seeks to elevate the overall quality of essential health services. This particularly focuses on RMNCAH+N services, by expanding coverage areas and reinforcing higher tiers of the health pyramid. The project will allocate resources for necessary inputs and performance-linked payments across targeted regions and schools, contingent on available funds. This strategy is designed to optimize service delivery performance and availability. Its scope extends to climate-vulnerable areas, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a distinct emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Ultimately, Keneya Yiriwali is committed to maximizing the efficiency of health sector expenditures through improved budgetary management, the integration of health financing streams, and advanced information systems that link budgets directly to performance outcomes.

Clara de Sousa, the World Bank’s Operations Director for Mali, highlighted the transformative power of this expanded RBF model. She explained, “The integration of climate risks, encompassing both energy and emergency management, is a key driver for enhancing the provision of quality healthcare services to communities under the Keneya Yiriwali project. This builds upon the achievements of the Accelerating Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU) project, which significantly improved healthcare utilization, quality scores, medication availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions.” Ms. de Sousa further elaborated, “RBF has proven to be a pivotal instrument, strengthening the capacities of health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipment upgrades throughout Mali.”

The total financial commitment for this IDA operation stands at $125 million. This comprises the $100 million IDA credit and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF), which includes $15 million co-financed by the government of the Netherlands. This collaborative partnership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the RBF approach through the PACSU project in Mali from 2020 to 2024.

Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat, remarked, “Building on previous support, the GFF grant and co-financing with the government of the Netherlands will ensure strong alignment in Mali to improve health services for women, children, and adolescents.” He added, “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system can help guarantee that the needs of the hardest-to-reach and most climate-vulnerable communities are met.”

Keneya Yiriwali is poised to benefit a substantial population of 15.4 million individuals, primarily women, adolescents, and children. This includes 3 million children under five years old and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. The project’s coverage will expand from the initial PACSU-supported regions—Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara—to encompass new regions with 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 World Bank institution 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 stimulate economic growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA is a leading provider of funding for 76 of the world’s poorest countries, with 39 located in Africa. IDA resources positively impact 1.6 billion people, having supported development activities in 113 countries since its inception. Over the past three years, its annual commitments have averaged $21 billion, with approximately 61% directed towards Africa.