Government of West Bengal’s health reform and investment programme

Options led a programme of support to the Government of West Bengal’s health reform and investment programme – the Health Systems Development Initiative, 2006-2010. The Health Systems Development Initiative aimed to improve the health status and outcomes of the people of West Bengal, especially the poor and those in greatest need, through the strengthening of the public health system and the improvement of public regulation of private provision.

The Technical Assistance Support Team (TAST), worked with the Government of West Bengal  to improve access, quality and the reach of nutrition programmes, to increase institutional deliveries and child immunisation through health system reform.

Key achievements:

• Strengthening the strategic and policy framework including supporting the Department of Women and Child Development to develop a ten-year nutrition strategy.
• Strengthening health financing including supporting development of a five-year rolling financial plan and developing institutional mechanisms to support implementation.
• Supporting increased access and demand for services including development of a nutrition service.
• Improving assets and supply management, procurement and financial management systems.