Xianyang Integrated Rural Health Services Project

Objectives: The project was designed to strengthen the capacity of the Prefecture health system to deliver effective, responsive and accessible health services to the rural poor in Xianyang's five national poverty counties - Chunhua, Xunyi, Binxian, Changwu and Yongshou.

The project focused on efficient allocation of resources and building the capacity at all levels of the Prefecture health system in policy, planning and management, and in implementing quality basic clinical and health promotion interventions at township and village levels.

Australian Contribution: A$13.7 million

Duration: 2002-2007

Location: Xianyang Prefecture, Shaanxi

Project Components:

Component 1: To improve evidence based planning, management and resource allocation monitoring and evaluation processes.
Component 2: To improve the capacity of existing health system staff of the 5 Project counties to deliver appropriate quality health services accessible by the male and female rural poor.
Component 3: To improve knowledge, attitudes and practices of poor males and females in rural communities in order to promote better health and appropriate utilisation of health services for all.
Component 4: To improve the knowledge and skills of the male and female workforce in the Prefecture and county health bureaus in gender sensitive planning and management, ongoing staff development, MIS, M&E, and selected preventative and basic clinical services.
Component 5: To ensure efficient and effective management for timely achievement of project outcomes.

Planned outcomes: Improved prefecture, county, township and village level health services. This was achieved through institutional strengthening, capacity development and advisory support at the Prefecture and in 5 northern pilot counties; and linking the counties levels to the Prefecture Health system to get guidance on service delivery, planning and resource allocation.

Achievements:

Provincially promoted manual of Grass-roots Health Institutions Infection Control Manual.
The Project supported a health information system in 10 County Township Hospitals, to improve management of health information, cost control and health system performance
Health promotion activities had a significant impact on reducing pesticide poisoning in agricultural settings. Community and personal hygiene concepts have been widely accepted, and behaviour changes improved substantially through the “healthy village” and “healthy school” activities.
The Prefecture and County Training Centres are expected to continue to extend the benefits of training activities conducted during the project.

Managing Contractor: Hassall and Associates International

Chinese Counterparts: Xianyang Health Bureau

AusAID Contact person:

Wang Jun
Senior Program Officer
No 21, Dong Zhi Men Wai Dajie, Beijing, PRC
Tel: +86-10 5140 4405
Fax: +86-10 5140 4199
E-mail: wang.jun@dfat.gov.au

May 2008