Senegal Health System Analysis and Its Implications to Global Health Cooperation

Abstract

\n As an active participant of global health cooperation in west Africa, the Republic of Senegal is one of the major recipients of international development assistance. Yet, funding and actions from different donors and implementing organizations are fragmented, which is one of the reasons that Senegal is failing to outstand its health performance disproportionally. This report provides an overview of Senegal’s population health status and health system performance and pinpoint areas that should be prioritized for focused global health assistance. Undernutrition and neonatal disorders were found to have posed the highest and most urgent risks on the public health of Senegal. This is intensified by the severe shortage of health human resources, vast disparity of resources between rural and urban areas, and unsatisfactory health financing mechanism. Based on the situation analysis of Senegal’s population health and health system, this report recommends (1) the Senegal MSAS to take the lead of integrating and coordinating public, private, and international health programs to reduce fragmentation with a focus on financing rural health human resources; (2) to research the root causes of undernutrition and neonatal disorders in Senegal and construct nutrition and maternal health interventions based on evidence generated; and (3) to conduct continued training of doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers with strong focus in Kedougou and Kolda.