Benin: system-wide effects of the Global Fund: interim findings.

This paper reports on interim findings from research conducted in Benin on the system-wide effects of the Global Fund (SWEF). SWEF is a collaborative research network that seeks to understand how monies being disbursed by the Global Fund affect the broader health systems of recipient countries. The main objective of the report has been to provide an overview of key interactions between Global Fund activities and the health system in Benin at an interim stage with the aim of informing several potential audiences in Benin at the Global Fund and in the broader donor community. Findings highlight several areas of concern such as gaps in the knowledge and participation of key health system stakeholders with respect to Global Fund activities; a lack of harmonization between Global Fund activities and existing policies on decentralization and cost recovery; and parallel systems for procurement of bed-nets and anti-retrovirals. Several positive effects on the system were also noted such as the creation of many new public/private partnerships as well as Global Fund training activities and infrastructure strengthening that are benefiting other health priorities beyond the three focal diseases. The findings presented here are preliminary and will be developed further through follow-up research as Global Fund activities are implemented further in Benin. (authors)