CLEAR-PCA Bolsters Health Care Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Punjab
On January 5, the Center for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Primary and Secondary Health Care Department of Punjab to streamline internal monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and data-driven decision-making.
M&E is fragmented in Pakistan, and it is essential to connect stakeholders and work mutually towards a common goal. Although the Punjab Health Department possesses the necessary systems for data collection, the team requires technical advice to formalize M&E practices to leverage existing structures more effectively and contribute to systemic change.
The Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Pakistan and Central Asia (CLEAR-PCA), an implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), is hosted by CERP and is providing technical assistance and advice to analyze performance metrics from administrative data disaggregated by gender and age.
CLEAR-PCA will help develop an intervention cost monitoring framework to estimate value for money and understand any mismatch between disease hotspots and resource allocation based on co-risk factors in the data. By providing technical assistance, CLEAR-PCA aims to demonstrate the usefulness of M&E and evidence-based decision-making to enable long-term buy-in for M&E system strengthening.
In addition, the PRISM framework is being used for gap analysis on the data systems, M&E practices, and the role of M&E in decision-making. The gaps will be identified in technical, behavioral, and organizational aspects. The analysis aims to strengthen data systems including improved data collection through new indicators, analysis types, and data use.
"We are eagerly looking forward to working together," said Dr. Yadullah Ali, Director of Health Services (Communicable Disease and Epidemic Prevention & Control Program). "Because we have huge data sets… of primary data and it would greatly help after [it has been through] advanced analytics for better decision-making, for better resource allocation, and for financial allocation. And it will also tell us about the geography dynamics and the spread of diseases."
CLEAR-PCA’s work with the health department will enhance decision-making in Pakistan by leveraging robust data collection and analysis methods. This initiative will not only strengthen the provincial health care system but also has the potential to influence federal-level engagement and policies. By demonstrating the utility of data for effective monitoring, CLEAR-PCA aims to encourage wider adoption of data-driven practices across Pakistan's health care system. This work has the potential to create a ripple effect through knowledge sharing across the provincial and federal governments.