Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for Primary Health Care

Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for Primary Health Care
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Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for Primary Health Care
Primary health care forms the foundation for effective healthcare systems and facilitates the provision of healthcare to all. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2020), PHC is the most cost-effective approach in meeting the comprehensive healthcare needs of communities around the world and the gateway to universal healthcare. As such, it is important to continuously assess the effectiveness of PHC projects and programs through monitoring and evaluation (M&E). As Rifkin (2018) reveals, the implementation of PHC programs and projects requires continuous monitoring and evaluation of what works, how it works, and why it works. Therefore, using effective assessment frameworks that not only continually monitor and evaluate PHC but also address some of its complex issues is paramount. The purpose of this paper is to develop indicators of PHC, namely inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, as well as the impact of the indicators. In addition, this paper will comprehensively describe the roles of international agencies involved in PHC.
Part One: Indicators of Elements of PHC
           Following the Alma Ata Declaration, several key components of PHC were identified. They include health education on existing health issues and the methods for preventing and controlling them, prevention and control of locally endemic diseases, nutritional promotion through an adequate food supply and nutrition, sufficient supply of safe water and sanitation, maternal and child health care, immunization against major infectious diseases, supply of vital drugs, and proper treatment of common illnesses and diseases (Du et al., 2019). These core components are important in promoting health, preventing and curing diseases, and rehabilitating communities through PHC. Also, effective referral systems, albeit not part of the Alma Ata components, play an essential role in enhancing the effectiveness of PHC. Below is a presentation of all the indicators of these PHC components. These indicators are developed based on the M&E components, namely inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
E: Education on existing health problems and methods for preventing and controlling them 
Inputs
           Health education is instrumental in improving the health of individuals as it gives them an understanding of diseases and how to prevent and control illnesses (Pueyo-Garrigues et al., 2019). Effective health education requires significant resources to facilitate learning, absorption, and dissemination of information to promote behavioral change. The input indicators for the education of health problems include:
* Health educators
* Health education materials/curricula
* Mass media platforms
* Written standards to guide the education process
Activities
           Health education involves a learning process that is person-centered, multidimensional, and collaborative (Pueyo-Garrigues et al., 2019). The activities involved in educat...