USAID Health Sector Capacity Assessment of Institutional Capacity Building Through Implementation of the First Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey

The assessment aimed to evaluate the capacity-building partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) within the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) in Myanmar. The partnership centered around the country's implementation of its first-ever Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) in 2015-2016. The MDHS was a cornerstone of USAID support to the DPH, and the assessment concluded that the 2015-16 MDHS Activity yielded a high-quality survey. Factors that supported this outcome included strong local buy-in and commitment by the DPH leadership, ICF's use of their DHS Global Capacity Strengthening Strategy, and USAID's facilitation of consultations and engagement of ethnic minority groups from conflict areas to produce an inclusive national survey. The assessment identified several key lessons that can be applied to future programs and activities in Myanmar. These lessons include the importance of government investments and commitments, capacity-building approaches by implementing partners, and the need for inclusive national surveys that engage ethnic minority groups. The assessment also highlighted the importance of strong local buy-in and commitment from DPH leadership, as well as the use of effective capacity-strengthening strategies. The assessment team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the MDHS Activity, including data collection and analysis, fieldwork, and interviews with key stakeholders. The team collected data from various sources, including the DPH, ICF, and USAID staff, as well as from stakeholders in Shan State. The data was analyzed to identify key findings and recommendations for future programs and activities in Myanmar. The assessment found that the MDHS Activity had a positive impact on the DPH's capacity to conduct surveys and collect data. The Activity also contributed to the development of a human resource management information system (HRMIS) and the establishment of a data management unit within the DPH. Additionally, the Activity facilitated the development of a national health policy and the establishment of a health information system. The assessment team made several recommendations for future programs and activities in Myanmar, including the need for continued capacity-building support to the DPH, the development of a national health policy, and the establishment of a health information system. The team also recommended that future programs and activities prioritize inclusive national surveys that engage ethnic minority groups and that USAID continue to facilitate consultations and engagement of these groups. Overall, the assessment concluded that the 2015-16 MDHS Activity was a success and that the lessons learned from this Activity can be applied to future programs and activities in Myanmar. The assessment provided valuable insights and recommendations for future capacity-building efforts in the health sector in Myanmar.