AHSI - RES Formative Evaluation

Global

Health Policy and Governance; Policy, Governance, System; Health Sector Review / Health Sector Diagnosis / health sector performance

The Africa Health System Initiative – Support to African Research Partnerships (AHSI-RES) is a 5 year research program (2008-2013) that forms the research component of the CIDA’s Africa Health System Initiative (AHSI), a 10 year, 450 million dollar initiative to strengthen health systems in seven African countries (sub-Saharan Africa) from 2006 to 2016. AHSI-RES aims to support policy-relevant health systems research (HSR) activities that are also designed to strengthen research partnerships and build local capacity for knowledge generation, exchange, and uptake. The main objective is to ensure translating relevant research results into policy. The research themes are human resources for health (HRH) and health information systems (HIS) with equity / access as transversal theme. The formative evaluation, implemented in May-July 2012 during program implementation, aimed at informing GHRI and AHSI RES program staff about the AHSI RES program performance and progress, with a view to inform the last year of implementation and the development of a project proposal for a new program. The evaluation approach combined desk review of documents and telephone interviews with research teams, CIDA country-based and headquarter staff as well as AHSI RES program staff.

he consultant has: 1) Identified lessons learned and provided recommendations for future projects 2) Reviewed the implementation and operation of the AHSI-RES program, including its program components 3) Provided any evidence on early, expected or emerging results 4) Provided insights into unforeseen challenges and/or opportunities The evaluation has been guided by GHRI and conducted in collaboration with CIDA staff. Specifically the evaluation has examined the following aspects: a) Performance (effectiveness, efficiency and economy): • Achievement of expected outcomes – Assessment of progress toward expected outcomes (Incl. immediate, intermediate and ultimate outcomes) with reference to program design including the linkage and contribution of outputs to outcomes. • Demonstration of Efficiency and Economy – Assessment of resource utilization in relation to the production of outputs and progress toward expected and unexpected outcomes. b) Relevance: • Continued need for program – Assessment of the extent to which the program continues to address a demonstrable need and is responsive to the needs of African researchers and decision-makers • Alignment with CIDA/AHSI priorities – Assessment of the linkages between program objectives and CIDA/AHSI priorities (themes, geographic focus, gender considerations, training, and knowledge translation) and how to align in the future • Design issues – Assessment of the adequacy of the program’s design or mix of activities or components to address the problem(s) at hand (what has been working and what hasn’t).