Technical Assistance to the Health Sector Support Programme in Ecuador (PASSE)

Detailed description of project Back

For over 10 years now, a reform process in the health sector in Ecuador has been ongoing. One of the main pillars of the reform is the decentralisation and transfer of the functions of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) to municipalities.

The Health Sector Support Programme (PASSE) consists of 4 components:

1. Support to the reform process at central level (MSP) and local level (local governments);
2. Strengthening health services network;
3. Improving water and sanitation services;
4. Strengthening community participation.

The expected results are:

• The reform process at central level has been reinforced as well as the steering function of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP);
• The health institutions that form part of the cantonal and provincial health system have strengthened their management and their capacities to assume fully the transfer of competencies;
• The functioning of the health services network has improved in terms of coverage, usage and quality;
• The number of communities that have adequate waste water and sewage systems has increased;
• Community participation in the health sector has been strengthened; efficient community structures for the implementation and management of basic water and sanitation systems in place; personal and family hygiene has improved.

The intervention zone of the programme is concentrated in the 3 provinces of the Sierra Central: Bolívar, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, and covering 16 health zones in 24 cantons.

Type of services provided

The PASSE will be implemented through a PMU, supported by the TA team.

The TA team consists of:

Long-term TA (191 m/m):

• Team leader (public health expert & management of health services);
• Sanitary engineer;
• Three health experts;
• Three infrastructure experts.

Short-term TA (71 m/m):

• Finance and Administration;
• Health economists;
• Management of health services;
• Tropical disease control;
• Medicines;
• Information Systems;
• Etc.