UNFPA/IND8U303/ Proposal for Evaluation of HMIS Strengthening Project in Bihar

UNFPA
UNFPA/IND8U303/ Proposal for Evaluation of HMIS Strengthening Project in Bihar Request for proposal

Reference: Evaluation of HMIS Strengthening Project in Bihar
Beneficiary countries or territories: India
Published on: 25-Jul-2013
Deadline on: 16-Aug-2013 17:00 (GMT 5.30)

Description

Efficient Health Management and Information System (HMIS) is an integral part of an effective and responsive Public Health System. It facilitates better implementation of the programme based on the information generated, analyzed and feedback provided for taking corrective actions. Recognizing the need to invest and learn by strengthening the HMIS, UNFPA commissioned IIHMR, Jaipur to strengthen revised HMIS under RCH2/NRHM in Bihar. The project was initiated in the entire state of Bihar by building the capacity of health staff in data capturing, analysis and feedback. The project is being implemented in close collaboration with the State Health Society, Govt. of Bihar.

The Project was launched in Oct 2009 and will formally come to a closure in December 2013. The Project covers all 38 districts of the state, 9 regions, 534 PHCs and 10,000 Sub-centres. It has trained and oriented 17,000 ANMs, 534 BHMs, 534 Data Entry Operators at PHCs, 534 MOICs, 9 RDDs, 38 CS/ACMOs, 38 DPMs, 38 District M&E Officers, 9 Regional M&E Officers, and 9 Regional HMIS Supervisors. The Project is managed by a Project Office in Patna that is headed by a State Programme Coordinator and supported by Associate Project Coordinator and 9 Zonal Officers (posted in 9 regions of the state) and an Accountant.

The project evolved over a period of three years, divided into three phases. The first phase focused on building capacities of health functionaries on HMIS data elements, its proper recording and reporting; the second phase built the analytical capacity of middle level health managers to oversee data quality and institute proper feedback mechanisms; and the third phase now, is focusing on transferring the learning of the project to the health system so that the project efforts are mainstreamed and sustained in future. The main strategies of the project are outlined below:

  1. To build the capacity of health functionaries at each level on HMIS, which specifically included ANMs, BHMs, Data Entry Operators and M&E officers
  2. To oversee the quality of data generated at different level (sub centre, PHC, District, and State);
  3. To facilitate use of data in planning, monitoring, evaluation and decision making;
  4. To establish a system of feedback and suggest measure for improvement at different levels
  5. To establish procedures, processes and tools for every level of HMIS functionaries
  6. To transfer knowledge and skills of the Project to government M&E officers at regional level
  7. To encourage regional M&E officers to use different tools, processes and procedures developed by the Project
  8. To strengthen state level institution to steer, guide and monitor HMIS work in the state

The Project trained a total of 17,943 health personnel that included ANMs, LHVs, BHMs, BAM/BHEs, DEOs, MOICs, CSs, ACMOs, DPMs, district M&E Officers and State Resource Persons. Capacity was built on improving data quality, data element definitions, data recording and reporting, use of HMIS software portal, analysis of data, conducting review meetings and providing feedback. Systems and processes were established to use the learning in the day to day work of the health department. During the course of the Project, data analysis started at every level, frequency and quality of monthly HMIS review meetings improved, feedback on reports became frequent, monitoring visits increased and ongoing capacity building got established. These improvements were reflected in better quality review meetings (based on data analysis, interpretation and feedback) and in improved data quality, visible in 100 % timeliness and 90 % completeness of monthly HMIS reports.

  1. EVALUATION OBJECTIVES

 The overall objective of the evaluation is to examine the relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the project interventions towards strengthening the HMIS in the state, thereby improving the quality of data and its effective use in decision making. More specifically the evaluation will examine the following: 

  • Whether HMIS data quality in terms of timeliness, completeness and accuracy has improved over time due to the project efforts
  • Whether adequate and effective review and feedback system has been established leading to improvement in HMIS functions in the state
  • Whether HMIS data has been used adequately in decision making and taking corrective actions to improve programme implementation
  • Whether capacity building strategies have been effective in building adequate capacities of the grassroots functionaries of the health department at all levels   
  • Whether the tools and protocols developed in the project has been mainstreamed in government system

The evaluation will examine the relevance and effectiveness of the interventions while addressing the above objectives. In addition, the evaluation exercise will comment on the likelihood of sustaining the project activities in future.