The CHS Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team participated in the 1st annual M&E Conference held from October 2nd-4th, 2013 at the Panari Hotel, Nairobi.
An abstract submitted by CHS titled “Residential Mentorship Program for Health Records Personnel to Address Capacity gaps in Monitoring and Evaluation at Level 2 and 3 Facilities – Gikui Health Centre Case Study” won the Best Abstract award in the Capacity Building category. The abstract was authored by Alice Wairia, M&E Assistant with Rachel Muinde, M&E Advisor and John Njenga, M&E Specialist as co-authors. Rachel Muinde, M&E Advisor, CHS also presented an abstract “Roll out of MOH 731, A Case of Central Province”.
The conference which was organized with realization that quality data is imperative in enhancing quality health care focused on promoting the sharing and cross-learning of M&E best practices among stakeholders. The theme for the three day conference was “Towards Quality Health Services through Sustainable Best Practices in Monitoring and Evaluation”.
Katherine Perry – PEPFAR Coordinator in Kenya, Dr. Custodia Mandlhate – WHO Country representative and Dr. Francis Kimani – Director of Medical Services officially opened the conference, accentuating the conference’s theme of sustainable best practices in M&E towards promoting quality health services. The importance of M&E, strategic information and the impact on better planning, implementation and commitment to achieving goals in the health sector was emphasized. According to Dr. Kimani, monitoring will ensure accountability; promote innovation and improve the health sector.
During the highly enlightening sessions, a total of 67 oral presentations and 23 posters were shared. CHS presented abstracts in 2 categories (M&E Capacity Building and Strengthening Health Information Systems). Other categories included Data Demand and Use; and M&E Planning and Coordination/Research and Surveillance.
The M&E Conference was a great learning opportunity and to a significant level supported the CHS strategic goals of being a learning organization and developing an organization knowledge hub.