Improving accountability and transparency in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health interventions in Ghana through the implementation

of the RMNCH Scorecard

EMMANUEL AYIRE ADONGOPROGRAM OFFICER, GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam 20th to 24th September, 2015

OUTLINE OF PRESENTAION

Background Methods Results Conclusion

Background

Ghana’s Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child health (RMNCH) scorecard management web tool (http://www.rmnch.org) involves 29 national and regional/district RMNCH indicators across seven (7) categories. Indicators are derived from four strategic pillars of the continuum of care.

Background cont.

These priority indicators selected were based on the ability to influence a change and the availability of data in DHIMS2

RMNCH tool overviewThe RMNCH scorecard tool is a customisable, dynamic management tool for Ministries of Health

Prioritised set of RMNCH indicators defined by the Ministry of Health, with the support of development partners

A management tool to strengthen accountability and drive action around RMNCH

An aggregation of existing data with statement of intent to strengthen availability of important indicators

A colour-coded web-based tool that can help the MoH/GHS track national and subnational performance in a single place

A management tool to strengthen accountability and drive action

GHS/MOH developed the scorecard through structured workshops, technical group work supplemented by 1-on-1 meetings

MOH meetings

DG and DDGPPME directorateFamily Health directorate

Participants

Data collection & validation

M&E, HMIS SpecialistsProgramme officers

Trainings HMIS specialistsM&E specialistsFamily health directoratePartners

Accountability & Action

Principal directors Family health Directors Partners

Selection of categories & indicators

PMDsFamily health directorate partners

Workshop

Day 3 Day 4 Day 5Day 1 Day 2 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8

MOH/GHS Headquarters, DPs trainings & follow ups

Regional level training

RDHSs, , DDPHs, RPHNs, RHIOs

Participants

Follow up visits

RMNCH Scorecard technical team with Regional officers

Finance, HR, Institutional

care, global fund, FP etc

Training of UN Agencies and USAID and USAID Project staff

Principal directors Family health Directors Partners

District level trainings

R/DDHSs, R/DPHNs, R/DHIOs

Workshop

Feb 15 MAR 15 Apr 15Dec, 14 Jan 15 May 15 Jun 15 Jul 15

Follow up visits

Exploring dev’t of new scorecards in other areas

Scaling up RMNCH scorecard with training of local government, traditonal authorities, civil society media etc to expand usage and improve transparency and accountability

Methodology

key stakeholders involving directors of MOH and Ghana Health Service as well as development partners with support from ALMA consultants came together to develop the web-based tool. A national training was conducted and the trainers went to all 216 districts and regional managers and trained health staff as well as key development partners.

Methodology cont.

The training took the form of presentations, group work and plenary sessions. All participants were given access to the web-based tool during the training. Group leaders made a presentation on actionable actions intended to improve on the reds and yellow indicators of their respective scorecards which was subsequently uploaded for tracking of implementation.

Results

The RMNCH scorecard for Ghana promoted active involvement from political leaders, Development Partners, Civil Society and the private sector. Health staff knew their performance in related indicators and started developing actionable actions to address low performance in their indicators. There was evidence of active competition among districts and regions which promoted data quality and utilization.

The colour-coded RMNCH Scorecard

The Action Item Tracker in the RMNCH scorecard

Conclusion

the RMNCH scorecard is a useful tool for accountability and transparency around the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health indicators. The RMNCH scorecard will improve on competition and accountability around RMNCH and subsequently improve on maternal and newborn health as well as serve an advocacy tool for support around RMNCH.

Sponsors

African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)UNICEFUSAIDWHOGhana Health Service/Ministry of Health PATH

Thank you