FY 2018 End-of-Year Health Portfolio Performance Evaluation Report

The portfolio's purpose was to support the Government of the Philippines in achieving its health-related goals, with a focus on family planning, maternal, neonatal, and child health, and nutrition. The portfolio's performance was evaluated using a whole-of-project approach, examining the extent to which the Health Portfolio achieved its purpose and sub-purposes through the strategies and implementation processes of its component activities. The evaluation aimed to determine the extent to which targets for Health Portfolio indicators were achieved in FY2018 and cumulatively, as well as the contributions of the component activities to achieving these targets. The evaluation found that overall, targets for the Health Portfolio performance indicators were achieved, with some indicators exceeding targets. The portfolio's performance was particularly strong in the areas of family planning, with a significant increase in the use of modern contraceptive methods among married and in-union women of reproductive age. The portfolio also made progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes, with a decline in the total fertility rate and an increase in the use of skilled birth attendants. The evaluation identified several critical enabling factors associated with achieving Health Portfolio targets, including the strong leadership and commitment of the Government of the Philippines, the effective collaboration and coordination among implementing partners, and the availability of resources and funding. However, the evaluation also highlighted several challenges and barriers to achieving Health Portfolio targets, including the need for continued support and resources, the complexity of the health system, and the limited capacity of some implementing partners. The portfolio's component activities were working to ensure that interventions were sustainable beyond the project life by building the capacity of local health systems, strengthening partnerships with government and non-governmental organizations, and promoting the use of evidence-based practices. The evaluation also found that collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) practices were being integrated and mainstreamed in and across activities and the USAID Office of Health. The evaluation used a range of data sources, including end-of-year data collection, consolidation, and analysis of performance results using the Health Portfolio results framework, analysis of key FP/MCH data from the 2013 and 2017 National Demographic and Health Surveys, key informant interviews with selected stakeholders, key lessons derived from the documentation of selected FP good practices and promising interventions, and analysis of pertinent secondary data. The Health Portfolio's performance in FY2018 was a significant achievement, demonstrating the portfolio's ability to make a positive impact on health outcomes in the Philippines. The evaluation's findings and recommendations will inform the development of the portfolio's future strategies and implementation plans, ensuring that the portfolio continues to support the Government of the Philippines in achieving its health-related goals.