Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DJIBOUTI934
2005-09-19 11:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

HEALTH MINISTER FOCUSES ON REFORM AND GLOBAL

Tags:  PREL EAID SOCI DJ UN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000934 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR AF AND AF/E
STATE ALSO PASS USAID
NAIROBI FOR AID/REDSO
PARIS/LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI DJ UN
SUBJECT: HEALTH MINISTER FOCUSES ON REFORM AND GLOBAL
FUND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DJIBOUTI


UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000934

SIPDIS


STATE FOR AF AND AF/E
STATE ALSO PASS USAID
NAIROBI FOR AID/REDSO
PARIS/LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI DJ UN
SUBJECT: HEALTH MINISTER FOCUSES ON REFORM AND GLOBAL
FUND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DJIBOUTI



1. (U) Summary: In separate meetings September 13 with USAID
Representative and Ambassador, Minister of Health, Abdallah Abdillahi
focused on health development and reform of Djibouti's Ministry of He
recovery for renovation of Peltier and improving health services and
resources would be a major issue for his ministry and for the governm
Minister also expressed disappointment that Djibouti's application to
Round of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria had been
down by the Global Fund. Ambassador pledged assistance of USAID staf
helping the Ministry address issues raised in the Global Fund's techn
evaluation of the proposal. End Summary.


2. (U) In a meeting September 13 with USAID Representative, accompan
USAID/Djibouti Senior Health Advisor and USAID/Djibouti Health Specia
FSN, Minister of Health Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil reviewed his plans
reform in Djibouti. These plans include renovating and reviewing func
primary hospital, Peltier, improving human resources, and improving t
of health services. For the Minister, cost recovery was a major issu
Ministry of Health had developed a plan for it and the plan would be
USAID. In addition, Miguil said, the Ministry had already begun impl
cost recovery program at two hospitals, including Peltier, and that a
meeting on the subject would be held by the end of October.


3. (U) The Minister also voiced his concern about the small percentag
national budget that goes to support his Ministry. Currently only 4%
is allocated for the Ministry of Health. He suggested that USAID exer
pressure possible on the central government to assist in convincing t
government to increase his ministry's budget.


4. (U) USAID representative asked the Minister about his views on th
health and education program with the Ministry of Education to fight
including khat. She wanted to know if the Minister was still on board
program and sought additional ideas he had about the approach, includ
envisaged for USAID. She cited USAID's many years of experience in ot
African countries developing and using telemedia to educate the publi
health issues such as HIV/AIDS and other diseases. The Minister said
time, his Ministry does not have a clear policy on health education,
would convene a small planning team to look into the matter. The Mini
that he intended to launch a large anti-drug campaign on November 20,
worldwide "Day of the Child" celebration.


5. (U) The Minister also indicated that he will seek technical assist
USAID as well as other partners to help the Ministry of Health evalua
or not it can achieve the objectives of its "National Health Reform S
evaluation might help the Ministry make slight adjustments, as needed
that overall objectives are more readily attained.


6. (U) Miguil noted to USAID representative that the next health "Do
Coordination" meeting would be held during the first week of October.
his concern that the World Health Organization (WHO) holds the presid
this committee rather than himself. USAID representative agreed that
Minister should chair this committee, and that USAID would work to se
change was made. It was reported, as well, that the technical committ
resources of the "Donor Coordination" group, met in June to discuss p
efforts made to improve human resources within the Ministry of Health
meeting will be held later in October.


7. (U) USAID representative noted during the meeting that her agency
working to help create an improved health information system, that wa
computer-based, but many obstacles to its development remain. A simil
program was developed within the Ministry of Education with USAID ass
and that the same could be done within the Ministry of Health.


8. (U) During a separate meeting the same day with Ambassador and US
Representative, the Minister conveyed his disappointment over the fai
Djibouti to secure additional resources from the Global Fund for Djib
Tuberculosis and Malaria prevention and treatment proposal, which was
submitted for the 5th round of funding. He gave a copy to the Ambassa
technical evaluation provided by the Fund. The Ambassador pledged th
assistance of the USAID team in working with Ministry of Health offic
them address the issues raised in the technical evaluation. She, wit
wanted to ensure that a proper and comprehensive response could be su
before the deadline of September 22, 2005. Although the Minister sai
thought USAID representatives had been consulted in the initial round
preparation of Djibouti's proposal, it was subsequently learned that
not been asked to provide input into the original application for thi

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