March Monthly Progress Report

The project is led by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of Contract Number AID-OAA-C-11-00161. The project's goal is to strengthen health systems in Africa by improving the capacity of African institutions, supporting health systems building, and promoting the use of innovative information and communication technologies (ICTs) in health programs. ASH's priority technical areas for the financial year include collaboration with and capacity building for African institutions, health systems building, and the use of innovative ICTs in health programs. In the area of collaboration and capacity building, ASH has been working with various stakeholders, including the African Union, to develop a database of leading experts in advocacy and health systems. The project has also been involved in the development of a strategy for increasing the use of local experts by stakeholders. ASH has also been working on several health systems building activities, including the expansion of pediatric TB care, the contribution of HIV to TB and maternal mortality, and the use of ORS and Zinc for diarrhea treatment. The project has conducted a quick review of the literature on the relationships between HIV, TB, and maternal mortality and has identified some of the challenges in addressing these health problems. ASH has also been working on a study to identify factors that have contributed to declines in the use of ORS and impeded the uptake of Zinc. In the area of innovative ICTs, ASH is promoting the use of mHealth to increase productivity and efficiency in the health sector and to provide knowledge and information on health to both providers and consumers. The project is developing a compendium of current mhealth activities being undertaken by USAID missions, an e-Health strategy development toolkit, and a detailed mapping of state-of-the-art mHealth evaluation approaches. ASH has also been involved in several other activities, including the development of a SOW for the expansion of pediatric TB care, the contribution of HIV to TB and maternal mortality, and the use of ORS and Zinc for diarrhea treatment. The project has also been working on a study to determine if vertical programs, such as PEPFAR and PMI, have been successfully leveraged to contribute to the overall strengthening of laboratory services. ASH's progress in March 2012 was focused on preparing Scopes of Work (SOW) for the priority technical areas selected for the financial year. The project's staff spent time consulting with USAID AFR staff, other IPs in DC, and stakeholders and collaborators in the region. ASH has made significant progress in developing SOWs for several activities, including the expansion of pediatric TB care, the contribution of HIV to TB and maternal mortality, and the use of ORS and Zinc for diarrhea treatment. ASH's participation in the 2nd Congress of the African Health Systems Governance Network (ASHGOVNET) was also a significant activity in March 2012. Godfrey represented ASH at the congress, which was funded by NORAD and Rockefeller Foundation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss strategies on how Civil Society, Health Professional Associations, Academic Institutions, and Private Sector can collaborate with Ministries of Health to improve governance in the health sector. Overall, ASH's progress in March 2012 was focused on preparing SOWs for the priority technical areas selected for the financial year and making significant progress in several health systems building activities. The project's goal is to strengthen health systems in Africa by improving the capacity of African institutions, supporting health systems building, and promoting the use of innovative ICTs in health programs.