Saint Lucia Health System Strengthening Project

The development objective of the Health System Strengthening Project for Saint Lucia is to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness of key health services. The project comprises of four components. The first component, design and implementation of an essential benefits package focuses on the demand side and includes the review of the design and implementation of the benefits package, including administration, purchasing and contracting arrangements, regulations surrounding the scheme, and potential sources of additional revenue for expanding health service coverage. It consists of following sub-components: (i) review of the essential benefits package; and (ii) implementation of the essential benefits package. The second component, strengthening service delivery in support of the essential benefits package consists of following sub-components: (i) improving service delivery through performance-based financing (PBF); (ii) strengthening the supply of health care services; and (iii) public health emergency preparedness and response. The third component, institutional capacity building, project management, and coordination will cover project implementation efforts, including project management, fiduciary tasks, and monitoring and evaluation (M and E) associated with supervision of the project. The fourth component, contingent emergency response component (CERC) will provide funding following an eligible emergency. It will include conditions for the use of funds, and will only be triggered when certain actions, as agreed by the government and the Bank are met.