By Eddah Waithaka
Amref Health Africa convened a pivotal meeting today to discuss the transition of the Strategic Africa Resource Center (SPARC) project and explore Amref’s continued role in strengthening healthcare financing across the continent.
Funded by the Gates Foundation, SPARC has been a cornerstone initiative aimed at improving resource allocation and evidence-based decision-making in Africa’s health sector.
Boniface Midia, Head of Healthcare Financing at Amref Health Africa, emphasized the importance of the meeting. “Today, we are transitioning from the SPARC project to a broader discussion on how Amref can continue supporting African countries in optimizing their health sector resources. Our goal is to use evidence-based approaches to influence and improve health outcomes across the continent,” Midia stated.
Nathaniel Otu, the founding Executive Director of SPARC and a seasoned health financing expert with nearly two decades of experience, highlighted the project’s focus on maximizing the impact of available resources.
“While much of the conversation around healthcare financing revolves around securing more funding, SPARC emphasizes getting more value from the money already available. This is critical in a context where donor funding is dwindling,” Otu explained.
Otu outlined the three core components of health financing: resource generation, pooling, and strategic purchasing. “Healthcare is a product with a monetary value, and our approach ensures that limited resources are used efficiently.
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This includes prioritizing diseases, selecting experienced providers, and implementing robust information systems to monitor service quality and value,” he said. Furthermore, the meeting also addressed the challenges posed by declining donor funding for healthcare in Africa.
Recent cuts by USAID and European countries have heightened the urgency for innovative solutions. “We cannot afford to simply lament these funding cuts. Instead, we must identify new funding sources, pool resources effectively, and strategically purchase healthcare services. Consequently, this will ensure sustainability,” Otu added.
Amref’s decision to base SPARC in Kenya reflects its commitment to leveraging African expertise. “We chose Amref because it is a credible, respected institution with the convening power to drive change. Our vision is to create lasting health improvements across Africa by working with governments and local experts,” Otu noted. Since its inception, SPARC has directly supported 14 countries, with more than 25 nations adopting reforms inspired by its work.
The meeting underscored Amref’s dedication to empowering African countries to identify their unique health challenges and implement context-specific solutions. As SPARC transitions, Amref Health Africa remains steadfast in its mission to transform healthcare financing and delivery across the continent.
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