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

The project was awarded by USAID on August 24, 2017, and is scheduled to run for five years, through August 23, 2022. The project's goal is to contribute to the national objectives of improving health outcomes and increasing access to quality health services. The project's three intermediate results (IRs) are: 1. Health system governance strengthened to improve Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) enabling environment. 2. Improved efficient delivery of quality responsive EPHS services by public and private service providers at the township level and below. 3. Enhanced community and civil society participation in shaping appropriate services. During the reporting period of January 1, 2018, through March 31, 2018, the Essential Health team continued project start-up activities, including staff recruitment and orientation, as well as internal and external consultations. The team also engaged with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) and other key partners. The project's work plan matrix, included in this report, outlines the activities planned for the quarter, which are detailed in the approved work plan matrix. The report also provides updates on progress towards implementing the activities planned for this quarter. The Essential Health project is implemented in collaboration with a consortium of partners, including Koe Koe Tech, Pact, Population Services International (PSI), and ThinkWell. Broad Branch Associates was added as a partner for PY1, specifically for technical assistance to the MoHS National Health Plan Implementation Monitoring Unit (NIMU). The project's monitoring and evaluation plan is outlined in Annex 2, and the environmental compliance update is provided in Annex 3. Short-term technical assistance visits were conducted, as detailed in Annex 4, and USAID site visits were conducted, as outlined in Annex 5. Financial information is provided in Annex 6. The project's overall challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned are discussed in the report, and plans for the next quarter are outlined. Sub-recipient achievements are also highlighted in the report. The Essential Health project aims to improve health outcomes and increase access to quality health services in Burma. The project's collaborative approach and focus on strengthening the health system and improving access to essential health services position it to make a significant impact in the country.