Evaluating projects to promote safe motherhood and improve maternal and newborn health to generate recommendations and learn lessons
The goal of the Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) Saving Mothers and Newborns Initiative was to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality and contribute to the achievement of MDG goals 4 and 5 in a number of low income countries. This project aimed to build and sustain the capacity of the obstetric and gynaecology and midwifery societies in the participating countries to conduct essential projects relevant to the promotion of safe motherhood and the improvement of maternal health.
Options was contracted by FIGO to undertake baseline assessments and end of project evaluations for their Saving Mothers and Newborns Initiative. The baseline setting included developing a standardised evaluative framework for the ten-country projects in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Haiti, Kosovo, Moldova, Pakistan, Peru, Ukraine, Uruguay; offering ongoing monitoring and feedback; capacity-building; and advice and trouble-shooting. The end of project evaluation assessed the efficiency, effectiveness, impact, coherence, relevance and sustainability of the projects as well as the challenges faced. Recommendations and lessons learnt were generated to inform future programme design and allocation of funding.