Bamako, Mali – The United States and Mali share a belief that a healthy population is essential to building a stronger, more prosperous nation.  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is celebrating the contributions of two major health programs that have achieved great successes, and is announcing a new $45 million award for Health Systems Strengthening, Governance, and Finance (USAID HSS) to Palladium, a leading implementer of international development programs. 

Providing health care in a country as large and diverse as Mali requires strong and transparent systems, sustainable financing, and motivated health professionals with the knowledge and skills required to manage these systems and provide quality care. USAID HSS will expand access to high-quality health services and increase Malians’ ability to plan, finance, and manage their health systems and individual health.

HSS will build on the achievements of two life-saving USAID activities that are coming to an end, Human Resources for Health 2030 (HRH2030) and the Human Resources for Health Strengthening Activity (HRHSA).  Together, these projects have supported the Ministry of Health as it implemented robust systems, trained health workers, and improved the quality of care.

Over the past three years, these two projects have measurably improved access to quality health care services for more than 16,000,000 Malians, saving the lives of over two million women and one and a half million babies. By connecting women and children to care and strengthening the quality of care in target communities, the percentage of people able to access and use health care services in target areas more than doubled from 39% to 72%.  

These programs, supported by the American people, trained health providers, improved the quality of pre-service education, and supported the Ministry of Health and Social Development in implementing a strategy of decentralization for the recruitment and motivation of health workers. This has reinforced Malian leadership’s capacity to put policy into action and manage the health workforce, deploying health care workers where they were most needed. In addition, invaluable training for hospitals and health centers to prevent and control infections has saved the lives of both patients and health workers as we confront COVID-19.

Over the next five years, USAID HSS will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, and the recently launched USAID Keneya Nieta community health initiative. Public health is a priority for the United States and, with more than $800 million invested in Mali’s health sector over the past 20 years, the American people remain committed to helping achieve a healthier and more prosperous Mali.

For more information, contact:
Embassy Press Office / ACI 2000 Rue 243 Porte 297 / Bamako, Mali
Tel : 20 70 24 24 /20 70 24 26 / Fax : 20 70 24 79 / Email : PASBamako@state.gov
Embassy: https://ml.usembassy.gov/