NEP – Mali

Better use of data.

 

Stronger programs.

 

Greater impact.

THE NATIONAL EVALUATION PLATFORM IS

• A new way to assess the effectiveness and impact of maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCH&N) programs 
• A systematic approach for identifying and compiling health and nutrition data from diverse sources, and ensuring that they are available for program evaluation 
• A core set of analytical methods for developing evidence-based answers to countries’ pressing programme and policy questions 
• A commitment to building sustainable national capacity

BETTER EVALUATION MEANS BETTER HEALTH

Accelerating national progress on women’s and children’s health and nutrition—in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and accountable—requires that Mali scale up interventions proven to work in local contexts. The National Evaluation Platform equips the Government of Mali with tools and skills to evaluate health and nutrition programs by identifying, systematically compiling, and rigorously analysing data from diverse sources. Empowered with evidence, national and district leaders can make strategic decisions that will achieve maximum health and nutrition impact for the women and children of Mali.

NEP IS MALI-OWNED AND MALI-LED

From 2014 through 2017, Mali is building the National Evaluation Platform, with technical guidance from the Johns Hopkins University Institute for International Programs (IIP) and funding support from the Government of Canada. Mali adopted a multi-institutional approach distinct from the other countries, in which they have not one but five home institutions. The Centre for the Study and Research on Child Survival (CREDOS) is responsible for coordination, with technical and personnel support from the National Institute for Research in Public Health (INRSP), the National Institute for Statistics (INSTAT), the National Directorate of Health (DNS) and the Planning and Statistical Unit – Sector for Health, Social Development and Promotion of the Family (CPS/SS-DS-PF). CREDOS conducts analyses and leads hands-on capacity-building workshops with teams of other public-sector NEP stakeholders. Public-sector institutions focused on MNCH&N, including the Ministry of Health, have pledged their support for NEP and are leading actors in every aspect of NEP’s development and use.

A Steering Committee of leaders from Malian stakeholder institutions identifies priority evaluation questions, receives NEP findings, and conveys those findings to decision makers for use in strengthening health and nutrition policies and programmes. A Technical Working Group of staff from public sector MNCH&N institutions carries out NEP analyses to answer priority evaluation questions and communicates results to the Steering Committee and other stakeholders. Members of this group participate in several cycles of workshops designed to build capacity in core evaluation skills.

CREDOS, as the home institution responsible for coordination, and IIP successfully implemented three workshops in NEP Cycle 1, focused on evaluation questions using coverage and impact data from household survey sources and the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) to support analysis. The NEP Mali Technical Working Group disseminated the results of their analyses at a meeting chaired by the Minister of Health and Hygiene and attended by government and non-government MNCH&N stakeholders. Following dissemination, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health requested that the Ministry incorporate NEP Cycle 1 results into its planning process. The NEP Mali LiST analysis findings have also been presented abroad – West African Health Organization (WAHO)’s Second Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Forum on Good Practices in Health in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (October 2016) and Health Systems Research conference in Vancouver, Canada (November 2016). During Cycle 2, the Technical Working Group is examining regional disparities in coverage and health status using routine data.

WITH NEP, MALI CAN BUILD PLANS ON A FOUNDATION OF EVIDENCE

NEP empowers decision-makers in Mali to base their strategic and programme planning on a strong, objective foundation of evidence. Mali is one of four African countries that are building NEPs. Successful development of the platform in Mali can provide a model for replication and development of the NEP approach in other countries with substantial health and nutrition challenges. The NEP Mali team is currently working on planning for sustainability beyond the current funding period.