Support to St. Francis Hospital in Ifakara

Project completed
Aerial view of St. Francis Hospital in Ifakara, Tanzania © St Francis Hospital

SDC plans to support health services and management improvement, and address the role of the hospital as a place for practical training and clinical research. The project would focus primarily on improving health care and look for synergies between St. Francis Hospital, the Ifakara Health Institute and the Tanzanian Training Centre for International Health, and the Swiss institutions that support them (SDC, Novartis Foundation, SwissTPH and Solidarmed). During the entry proposal period, SDC and partners will have an opportunity to explore which organisational option would best serve these objectives. Refurbishment of the pediatric ward will also be undertaken and equipment provided.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Tanzania
Health
nothemedefined
Primary health care
Health systems strengthening
Basic health infrastructure
01.10.2010 - 31.12.2022
CHF  8’978’000
Background

St Francis referral hospital is located in Ifakara in the southern part of Tanzania. The hospital is owned by the Diocese of Ifakara (formerly Diocese of Mahenge). It was officially promoted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and became a regional referral hospital in November 2010. The hospital attracts referrals of patients from Kilombero and Ulanga districts as well as some parts of 4 other districts with a population of approximately 700,000. There are local partner institutions that depend on SFRH as a platform for health training and research.

Objectives

The population of rural districts from Kilombero and Ulanga, as well as some parts of Mikumi, Morogoro rural and Iringa districts.

Target groups

The population of rural districts from Kilombero and Ulanga, as well as some parts of Mikumi, Morogoro rural and Iringa districts.

Medium-term outcomes
  • Quality of care: Patients are offered very good health specialist services and care in medicine, paediatrics and surgery.
  • Governance: All governing bodies function according to accountability and transparent principles in the decision-making process.
  • Internal management: All levels of hospital management are performing efficiently, and applying standard procedures in general, financial and human resource management.        
  • Collaboration with partner entities: All partners involved in hospital activities are working towards a common goal and make more efficient use of available resources
Results

Expected results:  

  • The Directorate has been replaced with qualified competent and committed staff
  • Clear guidelines on financial, human resources, procurement and patient management procedures are developed;
  • Supply of drugs, laboratory products and equipment is regular and adequate;
  • Infrastructure are renovated and developed.
  • Formal revised joint agreement (MoU) with Local Partner Institutions operating in Ifakara


Results from previous phases:  

1) Organizational assessment, discussion and common understanding with all partners in Ifakara and MoHSW;

2) Initial infrastructure investment: rehabilitation of the infusion unit;

3) Initiation of the change process i.e. appointment of the medical director, hospital staff meetings, preliminary steps of basic financial management and departmental clinical meetings.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    8’978’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    8’683’499
Project phases

Phase 1 01.10.2010 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)