Collaborative Support for Health (CSH) Emergency Ebola Funds (EEF) Quarterly Report January 1, 2018 – January 31, 2018

The program focuses on capacity-building and health systems strengthening activities in three selected counties: Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado. In February 2017, USAID awarded Management Sciences for Health (MSH) additional funding from the Ebola Emergency Fund (EEF) to expand CSH's health system strengthening activities to the three counties most affected by Ebola. The CSH EEF interventions are designed to scale up achievements and proven strategies from the base counties and to support three key objectives. Objective 1 aims to strengthen the capacity of health facilities in the three counties to practice Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards and provide health services according to the National Health Quality Strategy and Plan. Objective 2 focuses on supporting the implementation of the national health information system and accelerating improvements to health and logistics information systems. Objective 3 seeks to strengthen County Health Team (CHT) capacities and systems in Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado counties to strengthen the restoration of health services and strengthen core systems functions. During the second quarter of FY18, the CSH EEF activity continued to accelerate implementation of activities. A baseline assessment was carried out in Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado counties to collect information on CHT capacity across the MOH-adopted WHO six building blocks for health care delivery. The results of this baseline assessment provide critical information for the CHTs to identify management strengths and weaknesses, and guide their capacity building efforts. Under Objective 1, CSH supported joint integrated supportive supervision (JISS) visits to 84 health facilities. The program continued to mentor and coach clinical staff at health facilities in the three counties in IPC standards using the revised Joint Integrated Supportive Supervision (JISS) tools. CSH also supported the Montserrado and Grand Bassa CHTs to conduct a measles campaign in certain districts. Under Objective 2, CSH worked closely with each CHT to improve the completeness of their HR files. By the end of the quarter, an average of 56% of all HR files across the three counties were complete in hard copy, and 31% of all files were entered into the electronic HR system (iHRIS). CSH expects to continue this effort in Q3. CSH also assisted the MOH to update the interoperability roadmap and align partners' resources for implementation of the road map. Under Objective 3, CSH supported facility and CHT drug dispensers, pharmacists, and drug depot assistants to use revised Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) tools and develop distribution plans. CSH also conducted a rapid laboratory assessment in 70 facilities in the three counties. Finally, CSH conducted 22 validation visits to facilities in the three counties to review HMIS data submitted for the period of October-December 2017. The baseline assessment results will guide the CHTs' capacity building efforts, and the completion of HR files will improve the accuracy of HR data. The implementation of revised LMIS tools and distribution plans will enhance the efficiency of logistics management. The rapid laboratory assessment will identify areas for improvement in laboratory services, and the validation visits will ensure the accuracy of HMIS data.