Produce timely and high quality routine programme monitoring data.
The following elements are in place:
- Data collection strategy is explicitly linked to data use.
- Clearly defined data collection, transfer, and reporting mechanisms, including collaboration and coordination among the different stakeholders.
- Essential tools and equipment for data management (e.g., collection, transfer, storage, analysis).
- Routine procedures for data transfer from sub-national to national levels.
- Well-defined and managed national HIV database to capture, verify, analyse, and present programme monitoring data from all levels and sectors, including data on prevention, treatment, care and support, and finances.
The NAC and sub-national authorities need a routine system to track the demand for and supply of HIV services. Standardized data from all providers, including facility and community-based HIV service providers, should be collected on a routine basis. To guide decision-making at all levels, the data needs of different stakeholders should be determined and routine data made available in a timely fashion. Standardised data include inputs (resources, such as staff, funds, materials, facilities, supplies), activities (interventions and services, such as training, antiretroviral treatment) and outputs (immediate results, such as number of staff trained, number of
clients treated).
Routine data on facility-based HIV services: If a functioning health information system exists that routinely collects data on HIV services at health and other facilities, there is no need to establish another data management system. The national M&E unit should ensure that the data from facilities are captured in the national M&E system on a timely basis to allow for their inclusion in routine reports and other information products.
Routine data on community-based HIV services: Establishing routine data collection and reporting from community-based HIV services is challenging, but they provide essential information needed by the NAC and sub-national government levels to coordinate HIV service delivery and monitor the HIV response comprehensively. Data should be obtained from all organisations providing community-based HIV services, such as those funded directly by the government as well as those funded through other sources (e.g., by development partners). Sectoral databases may already exist that include data relevant to HIV programmes (e.g., social service information for orphans and vulnerable children). It is important to identify all existing data sources and to establish appropriate links.