The Ministry of Health in Partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) has signed and handed over the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Performance Agreements and Registers to Health Facilities in Sinda District of Eastern Province.
The RBF agreement, involving the Provincial Health Office, the Local Authority and Health Facilities is a health financing approach that links funding directly to verified performance, the quantity of services delivered, and the quality with which they are delivered.
The initiative, being piloted in Sinda and Chadiza Districts in the Eastern Province aims to improve on key areas including looking at the number of women delivering with a skilled birth attendant, the number of children fully immunized, the number of women attending antenatal care early, and similar indicators that save lives by giving facilities and communities a direct stake in improving them.
Eastern Province Clinical Care Specialist Doctor Francis Mubanga who officiated at the signing ceremony held at Kwaela Lodge in Sinda District, described the undertaking as a solemn commitment to a shared vision of excellence, accountability, and measurable impact in health service delivery.
Dr Mubanga stated that the initiative further signifies collective resolve to move beyond aspirations and towards demonstrable results that tangibly improve the health and well-being of citizens rather than a procedural undertaking or the signing of contractual documents.
He also acknowledged the invaluable partnership and steadfast commitment of CHAI, whose support continues to advance the strengthening of health systems and the pursuit of improved health outcomes across districts.
“The Results-Based Financing is founded upon a powerful principle, that investments in health should be accompanied by measurable improvements in performance. It seeks to cultivate a culture where resources are utilised efficiently, interventions are implemented effectively, and achievements are objectively assessed against agreed targets,” Dr Mubanga noted.
He disclosed that under the arrangement, the grant provided serves as the foundational source of financing, enabling facilities to deliver essential health services and undertake planned interventions.
“The model goes a step further by introducing a performance-linked component, whereby supplementary financing is contingent upon the attainment of predefined targets and verifiable improvements in service delivery,” he indicated.
The Provincial Health Office has since pledged to provide strategic leadership, technical support, mentorship, monitoring, and oversight, as well as committing to strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability mechanisms through the stewardship of the Sinda Local Authority
Meanwhile, CHAI Representative Namakando Mukelabai, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supplementing the Zambian Government’s efforts to provide quality health service delivery.
“We are proud to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia, with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, in implementing this programme, and we look forward to working with this district as you put these Agreements into practice,” Mr Mukelabai said.
And authorities at the health facilities have committed to making the pilot programme a success.
“We will be dedicated to ensure strengthened sensitization of the initiative to the community in order to achieve the desired outcomes,” Munendwe Health Facility Chairperson, Aaron Njobvu said.
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