The World Bank DRC Human Development Systems Strengthening (P145965) REPORT NO.: RES37883 DOCUMENT OF THE WORLD BANK RESTRUCTURING PAPER ON A PROPOSED PROJECT RESTRUCTURING OF DRC HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING APPROVED ON APRIL 23, 2014 TO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO,DRC MINISTRY OF FINANCE HEALTH, NUTRITION & POPULATION AFRICA Regional Vice President: Hafez M. H. Ghanem Country Director: Jean-Christophe Carret Regional Director: Practice Manager/Manager: Trina S. Haque Task Team Leader: Enias Baganizi, Lombe Kasonde The World Bank DRC Human Development Systems Strengthening (P145965) I. BASIC DATA Product Information Project ID Financing Instrument P145965 Investment Project Financing Original EA Category Current EA Category Not Required (C) Not Required (C) Approval Date Current Closing Date 23-Apr-2014 31-Dec-2020 Organizations Borrower Responsible Agency Democratic Republic of Congo,DRC Ministry of Finance CFEF-Ministry of Finance Project Development Objective (PDO) Original PDO The proposed project development objective is to strengthen select management systems for education and health services in targetedgeographic areas in the Recipient's territory. Summary Status of Financing Net Ln/Cr/Tf Approval Signing Effectiveness Closing Commitment Disbursed Undisbursed IDA-D1110 29-Mar-2016 13-May-2016 17-Nov-2017 31-Dec-2020 30.00 11.76 18.47 IDA-H9360 23-Apr-2014 19-Jun-2014 20-Jan-2015 31-Aug-2020 15.00 11.64 1.87 TF-A2421 05-Apr-2016 13-May-2016 17-Nov-2017 31-Aug-2020 1.08 .12 .96 TF-A1960 25-Feb-2016 13-May-2016 17-Nov-2017 31-Dec-2020 10.00 2.55 7.45 The World Bank DRC Human Development Systems Strengthening (P145965) Policy Waiver(s) Does this restructuring trigger the need for any policy waiver(s)? No I. SUMMARY OF PROJECT STATUS AND PROPOSED CHANGES The purpose of this restructuring is to extend the closing date of the DRC Human Development Systems Strengthening Project – PHRD Grant (TFA2421) from June 30, 2019 to August 31, 2020 to allow for adequate time to complete critical activities. The Bank received the request to extend the closing date of the Project on April 19, 2019. The Project performance has shown significant improvement since the MTR in August 2018, with PDO and IP ratings upgraded from MU to MS (as at 16 May 2019). The USD 1.08 million PHRD grant together with IDA-D110 finance activities to enhance the utilization of data generated by the Health Management Information System (HMIS/ SNIS) under Component 1 of the Project. The HMIS data is used at the zone and province levels to develop local health action plans (PAO) and to evaluate progress on the implementation of previous plans, and identify corrective actions. These subnational action plans are posted on the HMIS portal and are publicly accessible to improve transparency on local-level planning and to encourage citizen engagement for greater accountability. The Project measures performance by monitoring the percentage of action plans that are both developed based on HMIS data and posted online in a timely manner, in the health zones supported by the PHRD grant. In the months following effectiveness, overall implementation of activities managed by the HMIS division within the Ministry of Health (MOH) stalled due to disruption in internet connectivity and a lack of clarity on the role of a newly created Agency mandated to digitalize health information (l’Agence nationale de l’ingénierie clinique de l’information et de l’Informatique de Santé - ANICIIS). During a recent implementation support meeting, it was agreed that capacity at the SNIS department within the MOH would be increased and internet connection would be provided in order to complete pending activities. With the agreed use of VSAT for internet connectivity, data to develop workplans (PAO) will now be accessible. The progress on activities financed by PHRD has therefore been slower, however the foundation for implementation has been established as follows: (a) Development of localized strategies and action plans: the central level HMIS team has been trained in strategic planning and management to improve the functioning of the health information system. Additionally, health facility staff are currently been trained in the used of HMIS (SNIS) data to develop workplans. Workplan development however is based on the availability and use of HMIS (SNIS) data online which was challenging. The work planning process is therefore ongoing; (b) development of an HMIS site: the HMIS site was developed and PHRD-financed health zones were provided with internet connection at the start of the Project to access data from the site. However, the interruption in internet connection affected access to the HMIS website; (c) support to regular monitoring and evaluation at the local level: the “Equipe Cadre de Zone” are the local entities responsible for supportive supervision of health service providers and training has now commenced which will accelerate disbursement. In addition, technical assistance is currently being recruited for the two Provinces where data collection was particularly weak, namely DPS Sud Kivu and DPS Kwilu - which will further strengthen implementation and accelerate disbursement. The grant has also supported periodic monitoring meetings and data analysis audits however with the additional TA this will be done consistently every month as agreed in the workplan; (d) civil society participation and accountability mechanism: Quarterly submission of the HMIS bulletins for community review is being The World Bank DRC Human Development Systems Strengthening (P145965) undertaken, however this has been impacted by the internet connectivity challenges. The grant will resume funding for internet access to ensure community participation is fully restored before the end of calendar year 2019. Partners including the Global Fund, Gavi, together with the Bank, are working with the Ministry of Health to support these activities and an action plan detailed disbursements has been developed. Overall, the project remains relevant, and is particularly important with the recent events occurring within the sector. For example, the Direction de la Pharmacie et du Medicament (DPM) is being supported under Component 2 and has been engaged in assessing candidate vaccines being used in the response to the 10th Ebola outbreak. Additionally under Component 1, CRVS contractors are supporting a highly ambitious catch-up campaign agenda starting with the registration of 400,000 children through school catch-up registration campaigns in Kinshasa in June 2019. This is the first step towards giving these children an identity to allow them to access social and financial services throughout their lives and the project is targeting 2.4 million children in total. The disbursement ratio is at 83% for the original financing (IDA-H9360) with all funds committed, and 36% for the Additional Financing (AF) IDA-D1110. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) Trust Fund (TF-A1960) is at 18% and the PHRD TF at 9.3% To ensure the successful implementation of the project, the Bank team will intensify supervision of the implementation to make sure that this momentum is not lost in order to maximize the achievement of the PDO. There are no overdue audits for the project. II. DETAILED CHANGES LOAN CLOSING DATE(S) Original Revised Proposed Proposed Deadline Ln/Cr/Tf Status Closing Closing(s) Closing for Withdrawal Applications IDA-D1110 Effective 31-Dec-2020 IDA-H9360 Effective 31-Dec-2018 31-Aug-2020 TF-A1960 Effective 31-Dec-2020 TF-A2421 Effective 30-Jun-2019 31-Aug-2020 31-Aug-2020 31-Dec-2020