The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an initial $10 million contract to Abt Associates Inc. to ensure the rapid normalization of health services in Iraq while strengthening the overall health system in the country.
This contract is a key element of USAID's reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people, in order to help maintain stability, ensure the delivery of essential services, and facilitate economic recovery, according to a USAID press release.
This "Health System Strengthening Contract" will support Iraqi-led initiatives in meeting the health needs of the population. Assistance will include supporting a reformed Iraqi Ministry of Health (MOH) at the national, regional and local levels as well as delivering health services, providing medical equipment and supplies, training and recruiting health staff, providing health education and information, and determining the specific needs of the health sector and vulnerable populations such as women and children.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based research and consulting firm will coordinate with international organizations, including USAID awardees such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), that are already working within the health, water, and sanitation sectors.
Under the terms of the contract, Abt Associates Inc. will have the flexibility to provide rapid response grants to civil society to address specific health needs in Iraq. Assistance will also complement ongoing humanitarian relief efforts that address the needs of vulnerable populations, including the delivery of essential services.
The Health System Strengthening contract is one of eight initial procurement actions issued by USAID as part of its overall relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
