Quarterly Report April – June 2015 (Q3 FY 2015)

The program is funded by a Cooperative Agreement from USAID, totaling $36,823,053, from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017. The main strategic objective is to use an integrated social marketing approach to increase the use of lifesaving health products and services, particularly in the areas of Family Planning/Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, and Malaria. The ISM Team, consisting of PSI, IntraHealth, Banyan Global, Human Network International, SAF, and SALFA, applies its expertise in social marketing, health clinic social franchising, and behavior change communication to bring more users into the Malagasy health market. The team works in partnership with USAID's integrated health programs, MIKOLO and MAHEFA, to expand community distribution of products and services. Three primary intermediate results (IR) are expected as outcomes of the ISM Program: IR1, IR2, and IR3. IR1 focuses on increased adoption and maintenance of health behaviors through the "Healthy Family" behavior change communication campaign. The campaign aims to increase knowledge and adoption of preventative behaviors, and utilization of commodities related to family planning, water, sanitation and hygiene practices, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria prevention and treatment, nutrition, and reproductive health. The campaign utilizes radio, TV, mobile video units, innovative interpersonal communication techniques, and various IEC materials and activities to positively influence health behavior. IR2 aims to improve the quality of selected health services in the private sector. The program works to strengthen the capacity of private health providers to deliver high-quality services, particularly in the areas of family planning, maternal and child health, and malaria. This is achieved through training, mentoring, and quality assurance activities. IR3 focuses on increasing the availability of life-saving health products and services. The program works to improve access to essential health commodities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This is achieved through community distribution, social franchising, and other innovative approaches. The ISM Program also places emphasis on cross-cutting issues such as research, monitoring and evaluation, gender, environment, and partnerships. The program works to ensure that its activities are gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable, and that it builds strong partnerships with local stakeholders and organizations. The program's implementation is ongoing, with quarterly reports submitted to USAID. The reports provide updates on the program's progress, challenges, and achievements. The ISM Program is expected to make significant contributions to improving the health of the Malagasy people, particularly in the areas of family planning, maternal and child health, and malaria.