Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40908919›Full record

ArticleGlobal health action2025

Who is at the table and who has the power? Case study analysis of decision-making processes for the Global Financing Facility in Tanzania.

Donat Shamba, Jitihada Baraka, Mary V Kinney, Asha S George, Georgina Msemo, Joy E Lawn, Rosie Steege

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Article in Global health action, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Donat ShambaDepartment of Health Systems Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0001-7431-7199
Jitihada BarakaDepartment of Health Systems Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0003-4835-808X
Mary V KinneySchool of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-2903-0161
Asha S GeorgeSchool of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-5968-1424
Georgina MsemoDepartment of Health Systems Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Joy E LawnDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and International Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4573-1443
Rosie SteegeDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and International Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2120-649X

Funding

Gates Foundation INV-007594
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn 2015, Tanzania joined the Global Financing Facility (GFF), a global health initiative for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N). Despite its resource mobilization goals, little is known about power dynamics in GFF policy processes. This paper presents the first power analysis of Tanzania's GFF engagement.

objectiveTo examine policy processes in developing GFF documents during its first two phases in Tanzania.

methodsAn exploratory qualitative case study using document reviews (*n* = 22) and key informant interviews (*n* = 21) conducted in 2022-2023. Data were thematically analyzed and interpreted using Gaventa's power cube (levels, spaces, and forms of power).

resultsStakeholders praised the GFF's country-led, evidence-based approach and local autonomy. However, closed-door decision-making in phase one excluded civil society and the private sector. Invisible power imbalances in funding allocations left stillbirths and adolescent health without dedicated budgets, while vulnerable groups (e.g. people with disabilities) were overlooked. Disbursement-linked indicators emphasized measurable outcomes, reflecting visible power. Phase two showed adaptive learning, with improved inclusivity.

conclusionWhile government-led, global actors (e.g. World Bank, donors) heavily influenced decisions. Greater civil society engagement is needed for accountability. Future efforts must address power imbalances through meaningful citizen participation to strengthen RMNCAH-N services.

Indexed as

Decision MakingGlobal HealthAdolescentHumansQualitative ResearchTanzaniafinancing policyGlobal Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents: Examining National Priorities, Processes and Investmentsglobal health initiativematernalnewbornstillbirthsTanzania

Identifiers

PMID40908919
PMCPMC12416002

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.