HEP+ Presents on Project Decentralization Efforts and Success in Guatemala

At the request of USAID, HEP+ presented to USAID Washington and members of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean on November 23, 2021, on the case for health sector decentralization in Guatemala and the flagship decentralization successes of the project. Some of these decentralization successes include the enactment of the National Decentralization Agenda, 10 prioritized ministries producing their own decentralization plans, assessing municipal capacity to take on decentralization responsibilities through HEP+-developed information systems, and leading capacity development to support municipal ability to take on new responsibilities. Between 2016 and 2018, the number of municipalities deemed capable of implementing the newly delegated functions doubled to 14. Health sector decentralization is a priority for HEP+ and the Guatemalan Ministry of Health. In 2022 the project will be prioritizing further legal reform, the continuation of municipal capacity development, and a “territorial ordainment” tool that will help the project prioritize municipalities for decentralization.