Report of the Kenya Health Data Collaborative: Resource Mapping for Health Information and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems

Author(s): Republic of Kenya Ministry of Health

Year: 2017

Abstract:

Global stakeholders interested in collaborating on health data investments joined together to form the Health Data Collaborative (HDC). The main purpose of HDC is to enhance country statistical capacity and stewardship, and for partners to align their technical and financial commitments around strong, nationally owned health information systems (HIS) and a common monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. 

For Kenya’s health sector to achieve the goals and objectives that are set out in the country health policy and strategic and operational documents, there is a need to establish and implement an accompanying robust and efficient HIS/M&E system. Recognizing this fact, the health sector, through the stewardship of the Ministry of Health (MOH), sought to bring all stakeholders in health together to set a common course for M&E, by holding the first Kenya Health Data Collaborative (KHDC) conference. To organise this conference, Kenya worked closely with the global HDC.

More than 150 participants drawn from different groups, including national and county governments, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, each representing their different constituencies, attended the first KHDC conference. The main purpose of the KHDC is to enhance country statistical capacity and stewardship, and for partners to align their technical and financial commitments around strong, nationally owned HIS and a common M&E plan.

To support KHDC objectives, a partner resource mapping activity was initiated in August 2016 to estimate existing resources for Kenya’s HIS from all sector stakeholders. This information would allow for more informed and efficient investments in HIS in the future and help identify resource gaps and potential duplicative investments at the national and county level. The activity was implemented using a detailed Excel mapping tool, which was designed to help identify details of all investments in HIS/M&E. Each organization (e.g., donors, implementers, and government agencies) contributing to the development of Kenya’s HIS was expected to complete the tool.

The mapping tool addressed the following aspects of partner investments in HIS/M&E activities in Kenya:

• Who: All government agencies, funders, and implementing partners contributing to HIS
• What: Type of investment activities (e.g., district health information system rollout, HIS strategy, analytic training)
• How: Cost categories included within the focus area (e.g., training, equipment)
• Where: Investments by county and national levels
• When: Current budget year as well as a few future years, if information is available
• How much: Budget (or best estimate) for the activity by geographic area

This report presents the results of the application of the mapping tool for the 40 counties in Kenya (out of a total of 47) that received some level of budgetary support for HIS/M&E activities in FY2016–2017 and the focus areas of those investments.