WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results for Development (R4D) has received a grant of $5.6 million to support the Government of Tanzania (GOT) in increasing access to amoxicillin dispersible tablets (amox DT) in order to reduce the number of children dying from pneumonia in Tanzania. This grant was recommended by GiveWell, a nonprofit dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities, as part of its Incubation Grants program, and was awarded to R4D by Open Philanthropy.
R4D will use these funds over four years (2019–2022) to increase access to, and appropriate use of, amox DT in Tanzania. Amox DT is the preferred treatment for non-severe pneumonia in children under 5, because it’s effective, affordable, easy to transport, and simple to accurately dose. Through this market shaping program, R4D will support government partners to tackle the barriers to the financing, supply, demand and regulatory aspects of the amox DT market. More specifically, this grant will be used to:
- Work with the Government of Tanzania to increase resources mobilized for amox DT
- Support government partners to ensure a consistent supply of amox DT at health facilities
- Monitor availability of amox DT in health facilities in conjunction with the government
“This grant will build on the success of the Government of Tanzania’s efforts, supported by R4D, to expand access to lifesaving medicines for children,” said Cammie Lee, senior program director for R4D’s market shaping practice. “This phase 2 funding reaffirms our commitment to strengthen health systems and shape markets in a sustainable manner, and will help drive impact through a cost-effective program.”
This grant is a follow-on to a 2016 grant awarded as part of GiveWell’s Incubation Grants program by Good Ventures. During phase 1 of the program, R4D provided emergency funding to procure amox DT when previous donor funding ended, and, subsequently worked with the GOT to develop a co-financing agreement for the government to gradually scale up funding as external donor funding gradually scaled down. R4D also supported government partners to improve quantification (the process of determining how much medicine to order to avoid over- and under-supply scenarios.) In addition, R4D supported the government in transitioning amox DT procurement (previously managed by external donors) to the Medical Stores Department, an autonomous department under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, which procures and delivers medicine and health supplies in Tanzania. R4D also worked on monitoring and piloting interventions to improve health care providers’ knowledge in accurately diagnosing pneumonia and prescribing amox DT.
To hear more about the impact of this work, read the impact story here.
More information on the grant can be found here.
###
About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too. For more information, visit our website at: www.r4d.org.
