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

The project's goal is to strengthen the health system governance to improve the enabling environment for the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS). The project's objectives are aligned with national objectives, and it focuses on three intermediate results (IRs): IR1, IR2, and IR3. IR1 aims to strengthen health system governance to improve the EPHS enabling environment. IR2 seeks to improve the efficient delivery of quality responsive EPHS services by public and private service providers at the township level and below. IR3 aims to enhance community and civil society participation in shaping appropriate services. During the reporting period of October 1 to December 31, 2017, the Essential Health team was primarily engaged in project start-up activities. These activities included setting up the Yangon office, recruiting and orienting staff, and refining the technical approach through internal and external consultative meetings. The team also selected priority geographic areas for project implementation and developed the PY1 work plan. The Yangon office set-up involved procuring furniture, supplies, and equipment, as well as re-positioning existing offices to accommodate the Essential Health team. Staff recruitment and orientation were also key activities during this period, with the team responding to the revised technical approach and stronger project start-up. The project's work plan matrix, which is included in this report, outlines the activities and interventions planned for the project. The matrix showcases the template for future reporting and provides a framework for tracking progress towards the project's objectives. The Essential Health project has made significant progress in its start-up phase, with the team establishing a strong foundation for project implementation. The project's focus on health system governance, efficient service delivery, and community participation is expected to contribute to improved health outcomes in Burma. The project's monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system is being established, with the team conducting regular assessments and evaluations to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The MEL system will provide valuable insights into the project's effectiveness and inform decision-making. The project has also identified several challenges and opportunities, including the need to strengthen the health system governance and improve the enabling environment for EPHS. The team is working to address these challenges through collaborative planning, stakeholder engagement, and start-up activities. Looking ahead, the project plans to continue its start-up activities, including implementing the PY1 work plan and tracking progress towards the project's objectives. The team will also continue to refine the technical approach and select priority geographic areas for project implementation. The project's sub-recipients, including Koe Koe Tech, Pact, PSI, and ThinkWell, have also made significant progress in their start-up activities. The sub-recipients have been working closely with the Essential Health team to refine the technical approach and select priority geographic areas for project implementation. The project's financial information is included in Annex 6 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's progress, challenges, and opportunities, and outlines the plans for the next quarter. The project's performance monitoring plan updates are included in Annex 2 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's MEL system and outlines the plans for tracking progress towards the project's objectives. The project's environmental compliance update is included in Annex 3 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's environmental compliance and outlines the plans for ensuring that the project is implemented in an environmentally sustainable manner. The project's short-term technical assistance visits are included in Annex 4 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's technical assistance and outlines the plans for providing technical support to the project's sub-recipients. The project's USAID site visits are included in Annex 5 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's site visits and outlines the plans for ensuring that the project is implemented in accordance with USAID's requirements. The project's financial information is included in Annex 6 of this report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project's financial situation and outlines the plans for managing the project's finances.