Quarterly Performance Report: Citizens' Involvement in Health Governance Project in Guinea

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the project was led by FHI 360 in partnership with Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Social Impact (SI). The project's objective was to expand opportunities for government officials and citizens to engage in constructive dialogue, improve advocacy for health reform by partner civil society organizations (CSOs), and increase access to quality information about health reform. CIHG's results framework was designed by USAID and consisted of two intermediate results (IRs). IR 1 aimed to expand opportunities for government officials and citizens to engage in constructive dialogue, while IR 2 focused on improving advocacy for health reform by partner CSOs. The project's activities were designed to achieve these IRs, with FHI 360 coordinating overall implementation and leading technical activities related to advocacy, social accountability, and civil society strengthening. During the quarter, CIHG completed its few remaining activities, which focused on supporting communities to implement their health governance action plans created through a social accountability process called the Good Governance Barometer (GGB). The project also organized two regional events to share lessons learned from GGB across participating communities and with leaders in neighboring communities. CIHG's partners expressed their gratitude for FHI 360's diligence in supporting GGB beyond action planning and into implementation. The project's results framework was designed to contribute to two of USAID's development objectives (DOs) in Guinea: "Utilization of Quality Health Services Increased" and "Governance and Economic Processes Strengthened." CIHG's objective and activities were aligned with these DOs, with the project's results expected to improve citizens' understanding and participation in health system reforms, increase access to quality information about health reform, and strengthen advocacy for health reform by partner CSOs. CIHG's implementation was affected by the deteriorating security situation in Guinea, which further complicated implementation and closeout activities. Despite these challenges, the project was able to complete its remaining activities and demobilize the CIHG office, donate its vehicles and generator, and retrench staff in compliance with local labor law. USAID authorized FHI 360 to incur select expenses to complete closeout activities. The project's results were expected to contribute to improved health governance, increased access to quality health services, and enhanced public confidence in the public health system. CIHG's objective and activities were designed to achieve these results, with the project's implementation and closeout activities affected by the security situation in Guinea.