UAbt Associates to increase use of priority health services

The U.S. Agency for International Development today named Abt Associates to lead a five-year, $209 million project to increase the use of priority health services, especially by women, girls, poor and rural populations, in developing countries throughout the world.

Abt will lead a team with deep experience in working with ministries of health at every level to build country capacity to expand access to health services, with a particular emphasis on improving health financing and governance. Partners include regional research institutions in Africa and Asia that will link research with policy implementation in countries supported by the project.

"Our team will work proactively with local governments, public and private institutions, and providers to translate financing and governance reforms into change at the point of service delivery," said Dr. Ann Lion, Abt vice president and project director. "We believe this strategy will strengthen countries' long-term capacity to fund, manage, and deliver priority health services beyond the life of the project."

The partner team has on-the-ground presence in 96 countries, which will enable project activities to be quickly launched around the world.  Regional and country partners include: African Population and Health Research Centre, Institut de Sante et Developpement, Public Health Foundation of India, and University of Witwatersrand Centre for Health Policy.  Core partners include: Training Resources Group, Inc., Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, and Futures Institute.

"This project builds on Abt's previous efforts to assist countries in making evidence-based decisions to strengthen their health systems through the Health Systems 20/20 project," said Dr. Diana Silimperi, division vice president for International Health. 

"Through more than 250 activities in 51 countries over the past six years, Abt has been recognized for its work at the community and country level and has significantly advanced both knowledge and practice in building better health systems.  We are very pleased to have the opportunity to continue this vital work."