In a major boost to Mali’s healthcare infrastructure, the USAID-funded and Palladium-managed Mali Health Systems Strengthening, Governance and Financing (HSS) project, locally known as USAID Keneya Sinsi Wale, recently received a 16-month extension. This expanded funding will allow the project to deepen its work of fortifying Mali’s health systems, focusing on improving access to quality healthcare services and building resilience in the face of future health challenges.

According to Palladium’s Clint Cavanaugh, the extension reflects USAID’s continued commitment to empowering Malians to plan, finance, and manage their own healthcare.

Four Years of Strengthening Health Resilience in Mali

Launched in 2020, the Mali HSS project has spent the past four years working alongside key partners, including FHI 360, i+Solutions, and local nongovernmental organisations such as Groupe Pivot Santé, Yag-TU, and ACOD. Together, these organisations have supported health systems in three of Mali’s largest regions—Mopti, Ségou, and Sikasso—which are home to approximately half of the country’s population.

The project focuses on a broad array of regional and local health system improvements, such as governance, financial management, and supply chains, providing essential supervision, mentoring, data support, and training to 26 health districts and more than 700 health facilities. These efforts touch every aspect of the health system, including enhancing health insurance coverage, improving health services quality, and strengthening health data collection.

With the newly secured ceiling increase, the Mali HSS team is poised to scale up its activities and increase the project’s impact across the country. The additional funding will also provide critical support to ensure long-term sustainability by transitioning key project elements to local organisations.

Addressing Mali’s Health Sector Challenges

Mali’s health system faces numerous challenges. High rates of maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and communicable diseases like malaria persist, particularly in rural regions where healthcare resources are scarce. The country’s fragile health infrastructure was further exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for a more resilient and responsive system capable of withstanding shocks.

Amid these challenges, the Mali HSS project has been making a meaningful difference by strengthening health governance and management and measurably improving health outcomes for women and children. Its efforts to build local capacity, particularly in under-resourced regions, have been instrumental in improving health outcomes and services.

“Mali HSS has had a transformative effect on the regions where we operate,” adds Cavanaugh. “Our work has directly contributed to improvements in maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning, and the prevention and treatment of malaria. By strengthening local capacity, we are creating a health system that is better equipped to deliver quality services, even in the most remote areas.”

What the Ceiling Increase Means for Mali HSS

The ceiling increase comes at a pivotal time, enabling the Mali HSS project to build on its achievements and advance its work on a larger scale. In addition, the project’s extension by 16 months will allow the team to further improve health outcomes in critical areas, while also facilitating the transition of key health system functions to local stakeholders.

“We are thrilled by this opportunity to expand our work,” says Cavanaugh. “The ceiling increase means we can continue advancing improved health system performance and better health outcomes for Malians. It also gives us the additional time we need to develop effective transition processes, ensuring that local partner organisations are fully equipped to sustain the progress we’ve made when the project concludes.”

In addition to expanding health system strengthening activities, the extension provides the Mali HSS team with more time to refine and implement the USAID Transition Award processes. These processes are crucial for ensuring that local partner organisations are ready to take ownership of the project’s work, fostering a more self-sufficient and resilient health sector in Mali.

The ceiling increase is a testament to the success of the Mali HSS project over the past four years. The strong collaboration between USAID Mali and the Mali HSS team has been instrumental in achieving measurable progress across key areas. The project’s ability to build local capacity at various levels—organsational, inter-organisational, and community-based—has led to significant improvements in health services, supply chain management, and the quality of care provided at health facilities.

“Our reputation for delivering quality work and our strong working relationship with USAID were key to securing this extension,” Cavanaugh explains. “Since we began in 2020, we’ve seen measurable improvements in areas such as the use of health and performance data for planning, the management of local health resources, and the responsiveness of district health systems to community needs.”

“This is a recognition of the positive impact we’ve had and the potential to do even more.”

A Stronger Future for Mali’s Health Sector

With this new funding, the Mali HSS project is set to expand its support for the regions it serves, continuing to build a health system that is both resilient and responsive to the needs of Mali’s population. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable system capable of managing future health crises and improving long-term health outcomes.

“Our focus is on building a health system that is not only stronger today but will continue to serve Malians well into the future,” says Cavanaugh.

“By empowering local stakeholders and ensuring the sustainability of our work, we are laying the foundation for a healthier Mali.” This ceiling increase and project extension bring the goal of a self-sufficient and robust health system closer to reality, benefiting millions of Malians for years to come.