FAQ
IHP+ Engagement
- Can other developing countries join the IHP?
- Have other developing countries expressed an interest in joining the IHP?
- What is happening in countries that do not have access to sufficient guidance and tools to take the IHP+ work forward?
- What are country health sector teams doing?
- What is a Country Compact?
- Will the country compacts be the same in each IHP country?
- Is any financial assistance being provided to countries to offset the costs of developing compacts?
1/ Can other developing countries join the IHP+?
Additional partners are encouraged to join the IHP. Developing countries will decide themselves if they want to join the IHP and communicate this to the country health sector teams. They will sign the Compact as an indication of commitment to the underlying principles and ways of working in support of developing countries. Partner governments of countries wishing to join the IHP should first discuss with country health sector teams and then make a joint approach to the H8 who are leading on the IHP.
2/ Have other developing countries expressed an interest in joining the IHP?
Several countries have expressed an interest in joining the IHP. A formal request to join the IHP has been received from Madagascar and many other countries are engaged in preparatory work.
3/ What is happening in countries that do not have access to sufficient guidance and tools to take the IHP+ work forward?
In areas where evidence is weak or where there is a lack of cross-agency consensus for guidance to countries, inter-agency working groups have been established, some building on work started before the IHP+ was developed. This work is largely focusing on:
- National plans and strategies;
- Results-based financing;
- Aid effectiveness and health;
- Monitoring and Evaluation;
- Service delivery; and
- Health financing and social protection.
4/ What are country health sector teams doing?
Country health sector teams are undertaking stocktaking exercises to assist in the design of roadmaps towards the development of country compacts. The focus of the country compacts will be in the existing results-oriented and costed national health plan and strategies, joint M&E framework, the link to broader development plans of the country (PRS, MTEF, etc), and the existing structures and processes (joint reviews, etc) in each country.
5/ What is a Country Compact?
A Compact is a new business model which builds on the lessons learned from sector wide approaches (SWAPs) and harmonization and intends to enhance focus on health-related MDG results. It is a contract that government and donors will sign, with clear benchmarks for development partners' and government performance against their commitment to fund one national health plan. A country Compact commits development partners and governments to reach concrete, verifiable results, based on mutual accountability and benchmarks. A Compact also commits development partners and governments to support one costed, results-oriented national health plan in a harmonized way and ensure predictable, long-term financing from both national and international sources. The details of the Compact will vary by country but all are expected to have common elements.
6/ Will the country compacts be the same in each IHP country?
Although the details of the 'compact' will vary by country all are expected to have common elements. The common elements beginning to emerge are:
Commitment of the international organizations, technical agencies and bilateral donors to:
- Base funding on results-oriented and costed national health plans and policies;
- Agree with governments on the sources and amounts of long-term flexible funding for gaps identified in the national health plans;
- Share mechanisms for managing and accounting for funds, reporting on progress based on results-based performance (one results framework);
- Harmonize financial flows and disbursements (on budget cycle);
- Not impose any additional burden/workload to countries-agree on one country-based appraisal/joint validation process at the time of the joint review of the health sector, based on the common results framework and joint reporting system. Any need for independent evaluation will be aligned with the annual review process and will be conducted in-country;
- Joint harmonized technical assistance; and
- Ensure staff make this a priority, have incentives and are empowered to work in a coordinated way at country level.
Commitment of the Government to:
- Develop results-oriented and costed national health plans with different scenarios for scaling-up, and clear identification of funding gaps. These national health plans will be embedded in the broader development plan of the country;
- Develop a common monitoring and evaluation mechanism with clearly quantified outcomes, objectives and indicators, demonstrating significant progress towards reaching the MDGs (criteria with benchmarking on results/financing/partnership);
- Work to ensure increased domestic funding for health care and develop improved financial management and fiduciary mechanisms; and
- Be accountable to all citizens.
7/ Is any financial assistance being provided to countries to offset the costs of developing compacts?
IHP grants are being provided to strengthen co-ordination capacity, to perform joint analytical work and explore policy options for scaling up services.
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