USAID/PMI impact malaria mid-term performance evaluation

The IM MTE has the following objectives: 1. Assess and document progress toward achieving project objectives and whether desired results have occurred; 2. Determine the effectiveness and efficiency of project operations and management; 3. Capture lessons learned and identify key bottlenecks and gaps that can inform future PMI activities in CM, in the context of the PMI strategy. The three main evaluation questions (EQs) were: EQ1. COUNTRY-LEVEL PERFORMANCE: To what extent has PMI IM achieved its country-level objectives? EQ2. MANAGEMENT: To what extent has PMI IM met the management requirements and functions outlined in the agreement, including planning, allocation of funds, coordination among the IM partners (Population Services International [PSI], Medical Care Development International [MCDI], University of California San Francisco [UCSF], Jhpiego), staffing requirements, and in-country support? EQ 3. GLOBAL RESULTS: What results have been realized at the global level? Evidence indicates that PMI IM is performing very well across 18 buy-in countries and two USAID Regional Bureaus in terms of activities and outputs, is trusted among consortium partners, and enjoys strong credibility at both country and global levels. The project’s accomplishments for Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and responses to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are particularly impressive. Project outcomes show improvements, although they are highly variable across programmatic areas, countries, sub-country project areas, and time. In terms of project impact, it would be unreasonable to expect major changes in morbidity and mortality (even if not an explicit expectation) after 2.5 years of project implementation. Additionally, available data sources for analysis of impact are not within the project’s control, are often not standard across countries and are often plagued by poor quality and consistency. Methodologic issues (absence of control areas or well-designed independent periodic surveys) also contribute to an inability to demonstrate more effect at this point in time.