Abstract
This Viewpoint presents a case study that explored the effects of using a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in public health donor programs to enhance health metrics, program efficiency, and accountability. The MoU between Kebbi State Government in Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) focused on strengthening primary healthcare. It covered Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) indicators, overseen by an Operations Committee (OC) and a high-level Steering Committee (SC). Quarterly and biannual reviews tracked indicators through a dashboard developed by the Integrated Health Program (IHP). Results suggest that the MoU led to better monitoring of primary healthcare (PHC) revitalization, health sector work plan harmonization, and data quality. Dashboard tracking showed improved health facility financing, immunization, antenatal care, and skilled attendants at births. The use of the MoU demonstrated potential for boosting program efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and political commitment for resource mobilization in public health initiatives. Results support recommending MoUs as valuable tools for effective outcome-driven public health funding.
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Data availability
The data in this study are secondary data and can be obtained from the MoU dashboard that was used for the analyses.
Abbreviations
- ANC:
-
Antenatal care
- HMIS:
-
Health Management Information System
- HSS:
-
Health Systems Strengthening
- MoU:
-
Memorandum of understanding
- OC:
-
Operations Committee
- PHC:
-
Primary health care
- SC:
-
Steering Committee
- USAID:
-
United States Agency for International Development
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Acknowledgements
The author appreciates the Kebbi State Government for approving the data visualization dashboard used for this research. Kabiru Abubakar Gulma designed the study, developed the data visualization dashboard, analyzed the results, and drafted the manuscript.
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The author did not receive any funding for this study.
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Gulma, K. Enhancing public health programs with performance-based memorandum of understanding. J Public Health Pol 44, 634–642 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-023-00446-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-023-00446-1