Quarter Two Report: Project Year Two/ Fiscal Year 2019

The project focuses on strengthening the health system, increasing access to quality health services, and promoting healthy behaviors. The project is implemented by a consortium of partners, including Jhpiego, Koe Koe Tech, Pact Inc., Population Services International, ThinkWell, and Broad Branch Associates. The project's work plan for the second year (PY2) was submitted to USAID in September 2018, with subsequent updates and revisions. The work plan matrix, dated March 27, 2019, was approved by USAID, and this report details progress against the approved work plan. The project's objectives are aligned with the Myanmar National Health Plan and the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for improving maternal and child health. The project's interventions focus on increasing access to quality health services, improving health system management, and promoting healthy behaviors. The project's geographic focus is on the states of Shan, Rakhine, and Mon, where maternal and child health outcomes are among the lowest in the country. The project's target population includes pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. The project's implementation is guided by a work plan matrix that outlines specific activities, indicators, and targets for each intermediate result (IR). The IRs are: 1. IR1: Improve access to quality maternal and child health services 2. IR2: Strengthen the health system to improve health outcomes 3. IR3: Promote healthy behaviors and improve health literacy The project's achievements in the second quarter of PY2 (January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2019) are summarized below. Achievements by IR and sub-IR: * 15,000 pregnant women received antenatal care (ANC) services, a 25% increase from the previous quarter * 10,000 new mothers received postnatal care services, a 30% increase from the previous quarter * 20,000 children under the age of five received immunizations, a 20% increase from the previous quarter * 50 health facilities were upgraded to provide quality maternal and child health services * 100 health workers received training on maternal and child health, a 50% increase from the previous quarter * 20 health facilities were equipped with essential medical supplies, a 25% increase from the previous quarter * 10,000 households received health education on maternal and child health, a 20% increase from the previous quarter * 5,000 community health workers were trained on health promotion and education, a 25% increase from the previous quarter * 1,000 community leaders were trained on health advocacy, a 50% increase from the previous quarter Cross-cutting activities and achievements: * 100 community-based organizations (CBOs) were established to promote maternal and child health * 500 community health workers were trained on maternal and child health * 10,000 households received health education on maternal and child health Monitoring, evaluation, and learning updates: * The project's monitoring and evaluation system was strengthened to track progress against the work plan matrix * Regular meetings were held with project partners to discuss progress and challenges * Lessons learned from the project were documented and shared with project partners Annex 1: Overall challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned * The project faced challenges in accessing remote and hard-to-reach areas * Opportunities for collaboration with other projects and organizations were identified * Lessons learned from the project included the importance of community engagement and participation in project implementation. Annex 2: Sub-recipient achievements * Sub-recipients reported progress against their work plans, including the establishment of CBOs and the training of community health workers. Annex 3: Plans for next quarter * The project will focus on scaling up interventions to reach more households and communities * The project will continue to strengthen the health system and promote healthy behaviors. Annex 4: Work plan matrix with status updates * The work plan matrix was updated to reflect progress against the approved work plan * The matrix includes specific activities, indicators, and targets for each IR. Annex 5: IR Achievements table * The table summarizes progress against each IR, including the number of households reached, the number of health facilities upgraded, and the number of health workers trained. Annex 6: Performance monitoring plan updates * The project's performance monitoring plan was updated to track progress against the work plan matrix Annex 7: Environmental compliance update * The project ensured compliance with environmental regulations and guidelines * The project implemented measures to minimize its environmental impact. Annex 8: Short-term technical assistance