Quarter Four Report: Essential Health Project Year One/ Fiscal Year 2018

The project is implemented by Jhpiego in collaboration with consortium partners Koe Koe Tech, Pact, Population Services International (PSI), ThinkWell, and Broad Branch Associates. The project's goal is to be achieved through three intermediate results (IRs): IR1, which focuses on strengthening health system governance to improve the enabling environment for the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS); IR2, which aims to improve the efficient delivery of quality responsive EPHS services by public and private service providers at the township level and below; and IR3, which seeks to enhance community and civil society participation in shaping appropriate services. The project's work plan for the period of July 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018, is organized around these three IRs, as well as cross-cutting activities and achievements. The quarterly report for fiscal year 2018, quarter four (Q4), provides an update on progress against the work plan, including achievements by IR and sub-IR, cross-cutting activities and achievements, monitoring, evaluation, and learning updates, and plans for the next quarter. IR1 achievements include strengthening health system governance through the development of a health system strengthening plan, which aims to improve the enabling environment for EPHS. The plan focuses on improving the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) National Health Plan Implementation Monitoring Unit (NIMU) to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Health Plan. IR2 achievements include improving the efficient delivery of quality responsive EPHS services by public and private service providers at the township level and below. This has been achieved through the implementation of a quality improvement plan, which aims to improve the quality of EPHS services provided by public and private service providers. IR3 achievements include enhancing community and civil society participation in shaping appropriate services. This has been achieved through the implementation of a community score card, which aims to improve the participation of community members in the planning and delivery of EPHS services. Cross-cutting activities and achievements include the implementation of a performance monitoring plan, which aims to improve the monitoring and evaluation of the project's progress against the work plan. The plan includes indicators for tracking progress against the three IRs, as well as cross-cutting activities and achievements. The project has also made progress in implementing a short-term technical assistance plan, which aims to provide technical assistance to the MOHS NIMU to support the implementation of the National Health Plan. The plan includes activities such as training and capacity building for NIMU staff, as well as technical assistance to support the development of a health system strengthening plan. Overall, the Essential Health Project has made significant progress in achieving its goal of improving MNCH and TB outcomes in Myanmar. The project's work plan for the period of July 1, 2018, through September 30, 2018, has been implemented, and progress has been made against the three IRs, as well as cross-cutting activities and achievements.