First-Quarter Report for Mozambique: October 1–December 31, 2015

The project's geographic focus is national-level technical assistance in Mozambique, with a presence in Maputo, and provincial-level technical assistance in Nampula and Zambézia provinces. The project's objectives are threefold: to improve food and nutrition program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for people living with HIV and/or tuberculosis (TB) in Mozambique's Ministry of Health (MISAU) care and treatment services; to improve maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) program design, implementation, and M&E in MISAU health services and community-based programs; and to increase MISAU's capacity to develop, strengthen, and implement nutrition-oriented policies, programs, and institutional reforms. During the first quarter of 2016, FANTA achieved several milestones. At the central level, FANTA finalized the entire package of PRN II materials, including training materials, M&E tools, and job aids, and submitted them to MISAU. FANTA also finalized the job aids on infant feeding in the context of HIV and submitted them to MISAU for approval. Additionally, FANTA worked with a creative firm to develop the first draft of counseling materials on nutrition for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and/or TB. At the provincial level, FANTA completed the procurement, purchase, and delivery of all outstanding furnishings, equipment, and vehicles for the provincial offices. FANTA also finalized the analysis of the data from the baseline assessments of the focus health facilities and districts, using both the Quality Standards for the Measurement of the Performance of PRN Services and FANTA's PMP indicators. Furthermore, FANTA helped establish and activate technical working groups in nutrition in both Nampula and Zambézia provinces. FANTA conducted a total of six technical assistance visits in Angoche and Mecubúri districts in Nampula Province, and 14 technical assistance visits in Nicoadala and Alto Molócuè districts in Zambézia Province. The visits aimed to support the Department of Nutrition (MISAU-DN) PRN technical working group's activities, including participating in meetings, suggesting meeting agendas, and helping write meeting minutes. FANTA also supported MISAU to initiate the pre-test of the PRN II registry book and monthly reporting sheet in six health facilities in Maputo City, Zambézia, and Nampula provinces. The pre-test results showed that the registry book and monthly reporting sheet were important and relevant tools for the program, as they collect data that is not collected by other tools. FANTA revised the tools in response to the finding that the registry book did not collect data on the treatment of TB for HIV-negative patients. FANTA also made minor revisions related to formatting and editing user's instructions. The revised training module on M&E was finalized, and the entire package of PRN II materials was submitted to MISAU.