Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe
IntroductionAid effectiveness and improving its impact is a central policy matter for donors and international organisations. Pooled funding is a mechanism, whereby donors provide financial contributions towards a common set of broad objectives by channelling finance through one instrument. The resu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2019-06-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e024516.full |
| _version_ | 1818890621488726016 |
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| author | Nynke van den Broek Luigi D’Aquino Thidar Pyone Assaye Nigussie Peter Salama Gerald Gwinji |
| author_facet | Nynke van den Broek Luigi D’Aquino Thidar Pyone Assaye Nigussie Peter Salama Gerald Gwinji |
| author_sort | Nynke van den Broek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAid effectiveness and improving its impact is a central policy matter for donors and international organisations. Pooled funding is a mechanism, whereby donors provide financial contributions towards a common set of broad objectives by channelling finance through one instrument. The results of pooled funds as an aid mechanism are mixed, and there is limited data on both methodology for, and results of, assessment of effectiveness of pooled funding.MethodsThis study adapted a conceptual framework incorporating the Paris Principles of Aid Effectiveness and qualitative methods to assess the performance of the Health Transition Fund (HTF) Zimbabwe. 30 key informant interviews, and 20 focus group discussions were conducted with informants drawn from village to national level. Descriptive secondary data analysis of Demographic Health Surveys, Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and policy reports complemented the study.ResultsThe HTF combined the most optimal option to channel external aid to the health sector in Zimbabwe during a period of socioeconomic and political crisis. It produced results quickly and at scale and enhanced coordination and ownership at the national and subnational level. Flexibility in using the funds was a strong feature of the HTF. However, the initiative compromised on the investment in local capacity and systems, since the primary focus was on restoring essential services within a nearly collapsed healthcare system, rather than building long-term capacity. Significant changes in maternal and newborn health outcomes were observed during the HTF implementation in Zimbabwe.ConclusionA framework which can be used to assess pooled funds was adapted and applied. Future assessments could use this or another framework to provide new evidence regarding effectiveness of pool donor funds although the frameworks should be properly tested and adapted in different contexts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T17:27:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5efffca2a79741af863671ad2c6aa393 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T17:27:50Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-5efffca2a79741af863671ad2c6aa3932022-12-21T20:12:31ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-06-019610.1136/bmjopen-2018-024516Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in ZimbabweNynke van den Broek0Luigi D’Aquino1Thidar Pyone2Assaye Nigussie3Peter Salama4Gerald Gwinji515 Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK 1 Department of International Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK1 Department of International Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK 2 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA3 Emergency Preparedness and Response, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland 4 Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, ZimbabweIntroductionAid effectiveness and improving its impact is a central policy matter for donors and international organisations. Pooled funding is a mechanism, whereby donors provide financial contributions towards a common set of broad objectives by channelling finance through one instrument. The results of pooled funds as an aid mechanism are mixed, and there is limited data on both methodology for, and results of, assessment of effectiveness of pooled funding.MethodsThis study adapted a conceptual framework incorporating the Paris Principles of Aid Effectiveness and qualitative methods to assess the performance of the Health Transition Fund (HTF) Zimbabwe. 30 key informant interviews, and 20 focus group discussions were conducted with informants drawn from village to national level. Descriptive secondary data analysis of Demographic Health Surveys, Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and policy reports complemented the study.ResultsThe HTF combined the most optimal option to channel external aid to the health sector in Zimbabwe during a period of socioeconomic and political crisis. It produced results quickly and at scale and enhanced coordination and ownership at the national and subnational level. Flexibility in using the funds was a strong feature of the HTF. However, the initiative compromised on the investment in local capacity and systems, since the primary focus was on restoring essential services within a nearly collapsed healthcare system, rather than building long-term capacity. Significant changes in maternal and newborn health outcomes were observed during the HTF implementation in Zimbabwe.ConclusionA framework which can be used to assess pooled funds was adapted and applied. Future assessments could use this or another framework to provide new evidence regarding effectiveness of pool donor funds although the frameworks should be properly tested and adapted in different contexts.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e024516.full |
| spellingShingle | Nynke van den Broek Luigi D’Aquino Thidar Pyone Assaye Nigussie Peter Salama Gerald Gwinji Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe BMJ Open |
| title | Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | introducing a sector wide pooled fund in a fragile context mixed methods evaluation of the health transition fund in zimbabwe |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e024516.full |
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