The purpose of this project was how to make use of participatory approaches to assess ways through which the health system could be transformed to work better for the benefit of all. A central objective therefore was the training of local persons to monitor health performance at local level and to take appropriate action possible within their limits. The project essentially exposed challenges and complexities that can intervene and jeopardise the accomplishment of achieving health for all.

Community Sentinel Monitoring (CSM) involves working in a small number of selected sites to generate qualitative data on how facility health committees (FHCs) are functioning, community participation in health, and NPTA - TFDC has so far worked in two, out of the four states where this project will take place. The focus of the work is how both implementing partners and the community members generate information through a participatory process that empowers the community to take action. The process enables documentation of local channels of power, influence and accountability. The CSM also provides a capacity building opportunity for State Voice & Accountability Officers, who take an active role in its design and implementation.

Locations

• Enugu State (Nsude & Mgbuji),
• Jigawa State (Sankara & Sundumina),
• Kaduna and Kano States.

Sector/Area

• Health

Sponsor

• DFID (PATHS2).

Outcomes/Achievements

• There is clear evidence that the participation of the end users in the administration of health services can make a difference. Stories from Nsude in Enugu State and Sankara in Jigawa State, where local committees are mobilising resources, and holding personnel to account, offer loud attestations to the power of participation and rights articulation. The lesson that comes out of this is  that when community members are empowered to have oversight functions over the Health personnel in their local health centres, services are improved.
• We are also seeing that the promotion of ownership among local communities stimulates resource mobilization (sons and daughters, local politicians, donation of labour), which ensures good performance and sustainability.
• At the bottom of all these is the realization that they have the capacity to hold health officials to account. Confidence, self-esteem are resultant evidence.

Project Files