Quarter 3, Year 1 Quarterly Report: Support for Service Delivery Integration - Malawi

The program is implemented by Abt Associates, Inc. in partnership with Malawian organizations, and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Cooperative Agreement AID-612-A-11-00002. The program's primary objective is to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in support of improved policies, management, and leadership. The program focuses on six key results areas, including increased advocacy for evidence-based policies, strengthened strategic leadership and management capacity, improved zonal supervision structures, improved leadership and management of human resources for health, improved decentralized management of district health services, and strengthened health financing mechanisms. During Quarter 3 of Year 1, the program made significant progress in several areas. The revised work plan was fully approved, and a revised Project Management Plan (PMP) was submitted for approval. The program also brought on board a Senior Technical Advisor for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and made critical inroads into the MOH structures necessary to influence systems change. Major achievements for activity implementation in Quarter 3 included the presentation of the fourth draft of the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategic Plan to the HRH Technical Working Group for comments, the approval of the Concept Note for Policy Review, and the completion of the draft supportive supervision desk review report and proposal for integrated supportive supervision improvements. The program also supported the establishment of a supportive supervision task force within the MOH to serve as the steering committee for revision/integration of supervision activities across the sector. Additionally, the program produced a supportive supervision desk review report and a proposal for internal and external supportive supervision improvements, which has been shared with stakeholders and the mission for comments. The program's work in Quarter 3 was tracked against anticipated progress in the Table 2 Matrix. The program's Senior Technical Advisor for M&E was engaged to provide technical support remotely, and may undertake a temporary duty trip to Malawi during Quarter 4 to assist in finalizing the HRH Strategy. The program's progress in Quarter 3 demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the health care system in Malawi. The program's focus on technical assistance, capacity building, and policy development is critical to achieving the desired outcomes and improving the health outcomes of the Malawian people.