ONS Health Activity Quarterly Activity Report PY5Q2: April 30, 2021

The initiative works closely with the Ministry of Health and key stakeholders to deliver on four intermediate results: improving access to priority health services, improving quality of priority health services, strengthening performance of health systems, and increasing demand for priority health services. Implementation of the ONSE Health Activity is focused on 16 districts in Malawi, with a geographic coverage that includes Balaka, Chikwawa, Chitipa, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Nkhatabay, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Salima, and Zomba. The reporting period for this quarterly activity report spans from January 1 to March 31, 2021, which falls under Project Year 5, Quarter 2. The ONSE Health Activity is led by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) in partnership with Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) and Dimagi. The initiative works closely with the Malawi Ministry of Health and Population, as well as other key stakeholders, to achieve its objectives. The activity is supported by the American People through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The ONSE Health Activity focuses on several key areas, including clinical services, performance of health systems strengthened, demand creation and community engagement, and project management. The initiative also places a strong emphasis on COVID-19 response, with efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the health system and the community. In terms of specific achievements, the ONSE Health Activity has made significant progress in improving access to priority health services, particularly in the areas of maternal, newborn, and child health. The initiative has also strengthened the performance of health systems, with a focus on improving the quality of care and increasing demand for priority health services. The ONSE Health Activity has implemented various interventions to achieve its objectives, including training programs for healthcare workers, infrastructure development, and community engagement activities. The initiative has also established partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Malawi Ministry of Health and Population, to ensure that its activities are aligned with national priorities and strategies. Overall, the ONSE Health Activity in Malawi is making significant contributions to improving the health outcomes of the population, particularly in the areas of maternal, newborn, and child health. The initiative's focus on strengthening the performance of health systems, improving access to priority health services, and increasing demand for priority health services is critical to achieving the country's health goals and targets.