ThinkWell is an international health systems development organization focused on using tailored health financing approaches to help low- and middle-income countries achieve universal health coverage. We believe that effective health financing systems are essential to ensuring health services are well-resourced, high quality, accessible, and do not cause financial impoverishment by those who use them. ThinkWell employs a whole-of-systems approach to health financing. We specialize in five practice areas that intersect with health financing: governance, human resources for health, the private sector, public financial management, and research and evaluation.
Background
Mali has made substantial progress in the provision of FP services in the last decade, which is primarily attributable to the increased use of long-acting and reversible contraceptive methods. Many Malians, especially those in urban areas access FP services from the private sector. Political commitment to improving FP is high, as reflected by the Government of Mali’s ambitious goal to increase modern contraceptive prevalence rate from 17.7% to 30.0% by 2023. This presents the opportunity to leverage Mali’s private sector to address the country’s growing FP needs.
Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments constitute a large proportion of health care spending in Mali, which impacts access to and affordability of FP services, especially in the private sector. To reduce the financial burden for individuals and families, the Government of Mali announced in 2019 that family planning, maternal, and child health services would be available free-of-charge. Mali has piloted public health insurance, but enrollment is extremely limited at 1.6% of the population. Additionally, a multitude of community-based health insurance schemes are present, but coverage is similarly low at 2.6%. Because women are increasingly accessing FP services through the private sector, it is important to understand the extent to which private providers, including pharmacies and drug shops, are engaged with the available financing mechanisms. Equally important, if they are not participating in these schemes, it is critical to understand perceived barriers and potential opportunities.
Objectives amp; Desired Results
Under the MOMENTUM Private Healthcare Delivery (MPHD) project, ThinkWell will carry out an assessment to understand Mali's health financing landscape in providing FP services and commodities and identify opportunities to increase private provider participation in financing mechanisms by:
Scope of Work
To support delivery of the above-noted objectives, ThinkWell seeks a Mali-based consultant for the following activities:
Desk review: The desk review will draw from publicly available documents, such as research papers, program reports, and government documents. The desk review will: (i) describe current mechanisms for the public financing of FP services and commodities in Mali, (ii) assess the extent to which private-sector FP providers are engaged in these mechanisms, and (iii) identify potential opportunities for improving the engagement of private-sector FP providers in the same.
Key informant interviews (KIIs): Following the desk review, and using interview guides developed by ThinkWell, the consultant will undertake KIIs with decisionmakers in private-sector FP providers, including pharmacies, drug shops, and healthcare clinics. The consultant will be supported to coordinate and schedule the KIIs. KIIs may take place in person or, where necessary, by telephone.
Data analysis and report writing: With the support of ThinkWell, the consultant will develop a final report (5-7 pages) and summary slide deck (4-5 slides of key findings), which outline the methodology, key findings and recommendations of the assessment for presentation to the MPHD project and key local stakeholders.
Job Location: This is a part-time consultant position based in Mali. Please note this is a contract position with expenses and competitive compensation covered but no additional benefits.
Timeline: The consultant will provide a maximum of 45 days total level of effort within the timeframe of January to September 2023. The timeline and sequencing will be decided with the selected consultant during the recruitment and selection process.
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