Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) | 72063624RFA00002

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72063624RFA00002

The Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) is a USAID-funded health program opportunity intended to support Sierra Leone in improving and sustaining better health outcomes over a five-year period. USAID plans to make one Cooperative Agreement award with a total estimated funding level of up to $45,000,000 (award ceiling $45,000,000). The activity is framed as a systems-oriented effort that goes beyond short-term service delivery by aiming to strengthen the underlying structures and performance of the health system, particularly at community and district levels where day-to-day access and quality are most directly felt.

SIHSA is designed to advance integrated health services with a strong emphasis on populations that typically face higher health risks or barriers to care. Priority groups include children under five, pregnant and postpartum women, and youth, with particular attention to adolescent girls. The activity also places special focus on women and children living in hard-to-reach areas where limited infrastructure, distance, and shortages of health workers often reduce access to essential services. Within these groups, USAID signals explicit attention to people who are especially vulnerable or routinely underserved, including persons with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities (GSM), and ethnic and religious minorities, reflecting an intent to reduce inequities in service access and health outcomes.

From a technical perspective, SIHSA targets improvements in both availability and quality across several key service areas: family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH), maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), adolescent health, and malaria services. The emphasis on integration suggests that applicants should think in terms of coordinated service packages and referral linkages rather than isolated vertical programs, with the goal of improving continuity of care and ensuring that clients can receive multiple related services efficiently and safely. The opportunity also stresses effectiveness, implying a focus on measurable results, better clinical and community practices, and stronger performance of the health system to deliver consistent outcomes.

A central theme of the opportunity is building a sustainable and resilient health system response. In practical terms, this points toward strengthening the ability of the Sierra Leone health system to maintain essential services over time and to withstand shocks or disruptions, whether from outbreaks, supply constraints, workforce gaps, or other stresses. The description also highlights a desired "paradigm shift" within the health system, suggesting that USAID is looking for approaches that encourage broader reforms and system-wide improvements, not only incremental changes at individual facilities.

Community engagement is another core pillar of SIHSA. USAID indicates that the activity should strengthen communities' active participation and support community-driven solutions, which commonly involves helping communities identify priority health barriers, improve health-seeking behaviors, and collaborate with health providers and local authorities to improve accountability and service responsiveness. This community focus is positioned as a means of improving outcomes and ensuring that changes in service delivery match local realities, especially in remote or marginalized settings.

The opportunity also encourages partnerships that can expand reach and improve performance, specifically pointing to collaboration with local civil society and the private sector. This signals that proposals may be expected to leverage local organizations for community mobilization, service support, advocacy, and feedback mechanisms, and to consider how private providers, pharmacies, or other non-state actors can complement public services where appropriate. Overall, SIHSA is presented as a comprehensive, equity-focused health systems strengthening activity meant to improve integrated primary health care and related services in Sierra Leone, with clear expectations around inclusion, community ownership, and durable improvements at district and community levels.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number 72063624RFA00002, the assistance instrument type as a Cooperative Agreement, the activity category as Health, and CFDA number 98.001. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. The opportunity was created on March 13, 2024, with an original closing date of May 15, 2024, and USAID expects to make one award under this announcement.

• The Guinea USAID-Conakry in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $45,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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