Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project
In 2021, The State of Mizoram embarked on the Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP), a stimulation project with four components, running over five years. The objective of the project is to strengthen the management and quality of health systems functioning in the state. The MHSSP combines results-based financing (RBF) and input-based financing IBF) approaches to achieve the enhanced performance management in the public sector. It uses a systems approach and is broken down into three individual components which need to be appreciated as forming part of a whole system’s approach complementing each other. A rigorous performance management approach will align incentives to support planning from top to bottom to move incrementally towards improving the management capacities and quality of health services.
The project is supported by an IBRD loan amount of 32 million US dollars using an Investment Project Financing (IPF) instrument structured in four components. Component 1 will focus on strengthening management and accountability, creating the environment for reforms, enhancing performance of the H&FW Dept. and its subsidiaries, improving efficiency of the public health administration while health facilities are the ultimate target, and strengthening content of care quality and key structural quality areas while assisting health facilities, in the planning for national accreditation through Internal Performance Agreements (IPAs). Component 2 will invest in the State Health Insurance program to improve its overall design, management and effectiveness. Component 3 will focus on health systems development, structural quality improvements, an pilot health innovations. A combination of result-based approaches (Component 1) and input-based financing (Components 2 and 3) will address the key challenges related to management structures, planning and budget process, human resources, medicine supply, and quality of care.
Internal Performance Agreement (IPA)
IPAs are Internal Performance Agreements between the project management unit and different levels of the health sector. The purpose of IPA is to enhance performance of health acilities, district and state-level administrative units and improve the quality of their services or performance. Kolasib District was selected as one of the Pilot facilities. There are four facilities under Kolasib District which are, District Health Team (DHT) or CMO Office, District Hospital, Bilkhawthlir PHC, Kawnpui PHC and Vairenge CHC. The IPAs are predominantly meant to stimulate these facilities to move to a better quality service and administration, reach National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification and boost their management capacity.
