Addis Ababa, April 15(ENA)--Encouraging results have been achieved in the overall implementation of the Health Sector Development Program (HSDP), the Minister of Health said.

Dr. Kebede Tadesse said the overall achievement of the 8 sub-programs was encouraging and an array of experiences was gained through the process.

The minister made the observation in a statement he gave to local journalists here on Tuesday following the conclusion of the 5th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the HSDP Implementation in Adama town.

The ARM has highlighted the results in the overall capacity building effort, the expansion of primary health institutions and improvement in the procurement and availability of inputs at institutional level as some of the good achievements registered in the HSDP I, he said.

The minister, however, said there is still a lot to be desired in the implementation of some sub-programs.

"Despite these encouraging achievements in meeting targets, there was, however, a strong perception by participants [of the ARM] that even better results could have been realized with some additional efforts," he said.

Health service delivery and quality of health care, resource management and utilization, management information system and reporting on activities were identified as some of the sub-programs that left a lot to be desired.

The meeting has praised the effort being exerted to mobilize resources by the federal ministry of health.

In this regard, the ARM has noted the successful tapping of about 243 million US Dollars from the global fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria & TB as well as the initial grant of 4 million Dollars for routine immunization activities from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), among others.

The ARM has recommended that all actors continue the implementation of HSDP II with increased vigor, taking into account the changing environment in the country.

The HSDP implementation is reviewed jointly with partners every year at a special meeting. The review is preceded by sending a group of independent internatioanl and in-country experts to the regions to observe on sight the state of implementation and review its achievements.

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