About HPI/Peru

The USAID | Health Policy Initiative completed its work in Peru on October 30, 2009.

The USAID | Health Policy Initiative in Peru (HPI/Peru) strengthened policies and policy-related capacities to improve health sector performance in the context of Peru's decentralization. Capacity building focused on five results as a means to improve family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) and maternal and child health (MCH) programs. The project also promoted gender and cultural equity to increase access to services. Project activities focused on seven high priority regions. HPI/Peru continued and built on the work initiated under Task Order 1.

Result 1: Human Resources

Recruitment, retention, and training of health professionals are essential to Peru's efforts to improve FP/RH and MCH service quality and access, especially at decentralized levels that lack adequate staffing and training. USAID has an established record of collaborating with faculties of medicine and nursing and obstetrics schools to design core curricula and standards of accreditation. Technical assistance has also helped to sensitize associations of health professionals on the need to develop periodic certification processes. This support facilitated important first steps toward the implementation of the National System of Evaluation, Certification and Accreditation of Education (SINEACE).

Based on those accomplishments, HPI/Peru fostered coordination among health faculties, health professional associations, and health providers in the joint design of professional competencies, associated standards, and assessment tools. The project supported implementation of Centers for the Development of Competencies (CDCs) at the Ministry of Health (MOH) micro-network level, for the continuous training of health facility personnel. These CDCs also promote healthy habits and behaviors in the population and strengthen management training capacities of local authorities. In addition, HPI/Peru strengthened the participation of civil society organizations in national, regional, and local processes, in part through mentoring on updated technical and policy issues.

Result 2: Data and Information Systems

The project provided assistance to stakeholders in the seven priority regions to create high-quality, integrated, flexible, and reliable health management information systems. These systems are designed to be managed at the local level; produce information for management and decisionmaking on health and development issues at different levels; and incorporate consideration of rights, gender, and cultural equity.

Result 3: Pharmaceutical Management and Logistics

HPI/Peru contributed to strengthening the national policy and regulatory framework to support access to high-quality medications and respond to Peru's national needs. In addition, assistance in the seven priority regions facilitated the development of efficient systems for distributing medications, contraceptives, and vaccines that meet quality standards.

Result 4: Service Quality Improvement

In conjunction with the project's work to enhance human resource capacity, HPI/Peru assisted stakeholders in the seven priority regions to formalize and implement quality management systems, including health facility accreditation that adequately considers rights, gender, and cultural equity.

Result 5: Policymaking and Regulatory Capacity

HPI/Peru provided technical assistance to the regions to establish public policy management systems that support improved health outcomes. In particular, the project provided guidance to national and regional health authorities on effective, enforceable regulations pertaining to human resources, service quality, and information and medication distribution systems.

HPI/Peru was implemented by Futures Group International as part of the Strategic Objective Grant Agreement between the Republic of Peru and the United States of America to improve health for high-risk populations. Main partners of HPI/Peru under this agreement were the MOH, regional governments, regional health directorates, and local governments in seven priority regions.