Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for around 50% of all global maternal deaths.
It is thought that weak political will, limited data and poor accountability have all contributed to the slow improvements in this area.
DFID commissioned projects to improve maternal and neonatal health services in six countries through cultivating political commitment and improving efficiency from greater use of evidence.
The projects worked with public and private sectors, including civil society. They aimed to strengthen both international and regional accountability frameworks and reduce maternal and newborn child deaths.
Solution
Montrose conducted a multi-year review of all the projects to assess how quality of care has improved, and how results generated from quality of care tools are being used by governments, health teams and civil society to make more effective decisions around health care delivery.
Montrose designed a robust evaluation framework and conducted an in-depth review of progress using online perception surveys, interviews and facility assessments.
Our team of health experts visited facilities, conducting stakeholder interviews and analysing data to assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the country projects.
Impact
Our evaluations identified lessons across the region to input into improved national lesson learning, shared good practice and policy development.
Montrose highlighted recommendations to improve value for money and deliver greater, more sustainable results.
The programme strengthened international and regional accountability frameworks with an expected overall impact of approximately 9,690 mothers’ lives saved, 71,700 newborn lives saved, and 47,640 stillbirths averted over its duration.
The programme improved the use of evidence and access to data in order for influential advocates to create impact among high-level policy makers and to progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
