Assessing HIV M&E systems to understand the status of an HIV M&E system
"Only by implementing comprehensive and sustainable M&E systems will we know how much progress we are making, as nations and as a global community, in combating this pandemic. The need for solid information on what is and is not working in real-life settings has never been stronger."
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An appropriate and efficient M&E system is the cornerstone of a country’s HIV response: it provides the data needed to make evidence-based decisions for programme management and improvement, policy formulation, and advocacy; and to satisfy accountability requirements.
With the increased focused in HIV M&E systems has also come an increased focus on:
In terms of understanding better what functional HIV M&E systems look like, the MERG has, for example, developed the 12 components as an organizing framework [link to 12 components intro] to help understand better what ‘one national HIV M&E system’ consist of, and MacKay identified that functional M&E systems have the following characteristics (MacKay, 2007: Box 10.1, p54):
• Substantive government demand
• Strong role for incentives
• Diagnosis of existing M&E as first step
• Key role of a powerful “champion”
• Centrally driven by capable ministry
• No overengineering the system
• Reliable ministry data systems
• Utilization as the measure of success
• Training in M&E and in using M&E
• Limitations of relying on government laws, decrees, and regulations
• Structural arrangements ensure M&E objectivity and quality
• A long-term effort, requiring persistence
• Development in a nonlinear, less predictable manner
• Regular evaluation of M&E system itself.
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In terms of better understanding the status of HIV M&E systems, several countries have conducted an M&E assessment to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the current system with the aim to develop a targeted approach to M&E system strengthening. This focus on HIV M&E system assessments was further underscored by one of the GTT recommendations – “Partner countries and donors jointly commit to work together to establish mutually agreed frameworks that provide reliable assessments of performance, transparency and accountability of country systems.” (GTT, 2005)
A variety of M&E assessment tools and approaches have been developed in recent years to support HIV M&E system assessments. These assessments differ in their intended use, focus, and target audience (MERG M&E TWG, 2007a).
In 2007, operational guidance was developed to help countries to decide when to undertake which M&E system. Click below to find out more about:
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