Subject: February IHD Monthly Update
From: Diana Silimperi <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:33:24 +0000

Dear IHD Colleagues,

Below is our monthly IHD update outlining recent happenings in the division. We look forward to receiving any feedback you may wish to share with us.

Knowledge Series on Global Development Kicks Off at Opening of Abt’s Office in Great Britain

On February 27, Abt will host guests from a wide array of organizations for a discussion on “How Can the Private Sector Support Universal Health Coverage Goals?”  The panel kicks off not only Abt’s New Directions:  Knowledge Series on Global Development, but also inaugurates the opening of Abt’s presence in Great Britain. Moderated by Catherine Conner from the HFG project, the panel features: Tosin Awosika, head of a private insurance company in Nigeria and partner on PATHS2, Caroline Quijada from the SHOPS project, who will discuss the innovation fund for private health entrepreneurs, Ram Ganesan of Abt India, who will discuss the public private model for TB control, and Julia Watson, Senior Health Economist, DFID. This thought leadership discussion is the first of a series that will be held three or four times a year in London. Contact:  [email-masked].

Abt Projects in Jordan - Improving Health Outcomes through the Public and Private Sector

Diana Silimperi recently visited the Jordan HSS II (2009-2014), and SHOPS (2010-2015) projects where she saw first-hand the projects’ contribution to improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems. At one of the newly accredited primary health care centers supported by HSS II, she observed how service providers use information systems developed by HSS II to create yearly action plans. At a Community Health Committee meeting, she witnessed the role that communities play in creating health awareness and increasing demand for family planning services. She visited a SHOPS- sponsored, women only edutainment lecture which provides in-depth interactive information to women on long-acting methods of family planning, part of a nationwide multi-channel communication strategy. During her visit, Diana reiterated the importance of using the expertise of the Jordan projects in hospital and NGO sustainability, quality improvement, health management information systems, behavior change, community health, and family planning in other Abt projects around the world. Contact: [email-masked] for HSS II and [email-masked]  for SHOPS.

Transition to Aid Independence – What's The Role of the Donor Community?

HFG’s Catherine Connor moderated a distinguished group of panelists at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies on Feb 7 in a discussion on the declining flows of development assistance for health as donors transition to an increased emphasis on country ownership. Participating in the panel discussion were HFG’s Laurel Hatt and Sara Bennett. The event’s sponsoring organization was the DC Health Systems Board.

Markets for Health Course Piloted

Jeff Barnes recently participated in a pilot course, Markets for Health, targeted to DFID health advisors and HANSHEP advisors.  Designed and taught in partnership with Futures Group, World Bank Institute, and O’Hanlon Associates, the course marks a new application of the markets for the poor concept to the health sector and combines elements of both health systems and market-shaping approaches.

Five New USAID Office of Population Focus Areas Announced

Diana Silimperi, Susan Mitchell, and Caroline Quijada attended USAID’s annual Office of Population meeting for cooperating agencies on January 30.  At the meeting, Office of Population Director Ellen Starbird unveiled the five new focus areas of the office for comment.  Those five areas are:  Social and Behavior Change Communication, Method Choice, Supply Chain, Human Resources for Health, and Total Market Approaches/Private Sector Engagement.  In addition, gender and youth remain key cross-cutting priorities. Contact: [email-masked].

Abt Published in Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition

The article, “Maternal Health Evidence Summit on Financial Incentives: A Review of the Literature,” published by Laurel Hatt and colleagues can be accessed at the website of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh.

French Language Materials

The IHD brochure is now available in French. We hope to have print copies available in the future. Contact: [email-masked].

Fast Approaching – End of Abt’s Fiscal Year

It’s time for cleaning house!  Have you completed outstanding expense reports, removed time sheets from the subaccount, cleared travel and tuition advances off the books? And for management, reviewed project projections, tracked down all subcontractor invoices? Plus all other related tasks? Please do your part to help IHD end the fiscal year with a clean slate!

Welcome, Goodbyes, Transitions - A Sampling

Welcome: Kelley Laird, Cathy Thompson, Debbie Ventimiglia

Goodbyes: Delphine Johnson, Nana Maiga, John Palen, Erin Schiavone

Transitions: Elizabeth Conklin to global telecommuter

Upcoming Events

March 7 – Global Health Mini University 2014

Mar 25-27 – Public Private Partnership Forum, Addis ([email-masked])

SAVE THE DATE!

March 12 – Global IHD Staff Meeting