What is the project about?

The Project is implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH) with implementation support from UNDP with World Bank funding. It was initially carried under the "Health System Strengthening and Support Project (HSSSP)" within the scope of the Loan Agreement No. 8531-TR signed between the World Bank and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on November 26, 2015. Currently, activities are continuing under “Türkiye Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Project (TERRP)” which is carried out under the Loan Agreement No. 9580-TR signed between the World Bank and the Republic of Türkiye.

The collaboration targets to improve primary and secondary prevention from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), increase the efficiency of service delivery in public hospitals and enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Health for evidence-based decision making. Due to the earthquakes on February 6 and 20, 2023, the project continues its activities in the earthquake provinces and other affected provinces for the sustainability of the health system.

The objective of this technical assistance is to supervise the implementation of the project in the field and advise the Ministry to take necessary actions and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare services delivery to the population affected by the earthquakes. 

What is the situation?

Earthquakes have significantly damaged or destroyed many health facilities in 11 provinces in Türkiye. This has significantly affected the sustainability of health service provision. There were provinces that received significant migration due to the devastating effects of the earthquakes. Health service provision in these provinces has also been measurably affected.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to monitor the implementation of the project in the field and provide recommendations to the Ministry to take necessary measures and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of health services provided to the population affected by the earthquakes. It is also aimed to ensure coordination between the central and provincial organizations, mobilization of the decision support mechanism, and proper use of evidence-based decision-making processes of the ministry.

How are we doing this?

• Monitoring of health care service delivery for the population affected by the earthquakes,
• Monitoring the priority issues of the central ministry in the earthquake-affected area, report the challenges faced to the central organization, and provide evidence-based guidance to improve the implementation,
• Monitoring all project-related health services provided at the provincial/district level, to communicate local needs and requests to the senior management of the MoH,
• Disseminating the good practice examples from the field among provinces,
• In addition, the project supports coordination in health service management in close cooperation with provincial health directorates to strengthen local efforts in this area.

How will Türkiye benefit?

On-site assessment of health service delivery at certain intervals will provide important contributions to the ministry's decision support. For the sustainability of the Turkish health system, concrete contributions in the field will be an important factor in strengthening the system. Provincial evaluation meetings held in provinces ensure that the coordination network of the central organization is kept strong.