Evaluation of the Bangladesh upazila initiative subproject of the family planning and health services project

The subproject design has some critical weaknesses. (1) The planning process - primarily because it takes place in Indonesia - is not producing carefully developed, detailed plans that can be readily implemented, supported and expanded in the Upazilas. (2) There is no clear provision for sustained financial support beyond the 12-month implementation plan. (3) Explicit mechanisms have not been provided for coordination with existing (and substantial) NGO activities and for encouraging NGO participation in the project. (4) Mechanisms have not been designed to provide maximum opportunities to learn from and share subproject experience. (5) Project resources available for the subproject are not focused sufficiently on planning and implementation requirements in Bangladesh. There are four major weaknesses in implementation. (1)The Ministry of Health and Family Planning MOHFP frequently has not followed the terms of the agreement regarding individuals selected to participate, and the time frame for approving participants and issuing the necessary authorizations. (2) The area of proposed activity in some Upazilas represents a very small part of the Upazila, with the result that the subproject is not necessarily demonstrating how an Upazila's FP program can be made more effective. (3) There has been insufficient effort to encourage and assist NGO's to participate in the subproject. (4) Monitoring of implementation and provision of TA to Upazilas have been inadequate. (Author abstract)