Poor maintenance previews future recurring cost problems for the rural community health project in Tunisia

Audit report covers the period 12/77-6/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with USAID/T, contractor, and Government of Tunisia (GOT) Ministry of Public Health personnel. Project objectives have largely been achieved. However, the project paper failed to realistically assess project operating costs and the GOT"s capacity to meet them. As a result, GOT funding has been insufficient to properly maintain the newly-built and renovated health centers and unsanitary conditions (e.g., malfunctioning toilets and other plumbing fixtures) prevail. Furthermore, due to the GOT"s inability to meet sanitation standards only one of the 22 centers in Siliana and Sidi Bou Zid has been certified as operational; certification is required prior to A.I.D."s final 30 percent reimbursement to the GOT. In addition, USAID/T has been unable to monitor the progress of the four Tunisian participant trainees enrolled at the University of Kansas due to the failure of Science and Technology"s Office of International Training (S&T/IT) to supply requested status reports and course outlines. It is recommended that S&T determine why IT is not reporting the progress of participant trainees and take action to correct the problem.