Country-specific explanations

Burundi

IHP+Results data collection in Burundi was completed through two channels:

1. Government data was collected through close collaboration between the IHP+Results team and the Ministry of Health (through Dr Longin Gashubije, IHP+ Focal Point and responsible for Partner Coordination) with the assistance of Dr Paul Bizimana (Professor in charge of Education & Head of Department at the National Institute of Public Health in Bujumbura).
2. Development Partner (DP) data was collected through IHP+ focal point contacts in the headquarters of each participating Development Partner.

The IHP+Results team cleaned and analysed the data provided by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and by DPs, to produce a Country Scorecard for Burundi and to contribute to Partner Scorecards for each participating DP. Ratings in these Scorecards were reached using transparent criteria. The process of calculating ratings also enabled IHP+Results to provide disaggregated ratings at the country level.

IHP+Results shared draft scorecards with the MoH and Development Partners to ensure that ratings represented an accurate interpretation of the data that each had provided.

In Burundi, the draft Country Scorecard and the disaggregated DP ratings for Burundi were discussed in the Development Partner forum. It was here that DPs raised concerns about:

1. The accuracy of the information provided by DP headquarters. This raised questions about the extent of communication between headquarters and field staff.
2. The consistency of interpretation between Development Partners. For example – did the UK and UNICEF use the same definitions of “aid reported on budget” when providing data for Standard Performance Measure 2DPa.

Some of these methodological concerns (in particular relating to interpretation) are reflected in IHP+Results 2010 performance report and methodology annex. But given the potential sensitivity of these findings, DPs in Burundi requested that the disaggregated data for Burundi was not made public; and they agreed to sit together to a) reach a common understanding of key terms and definitions, and b) revise their data returns based on their common understanding.

To date (5 April), IHP+Results has received revised return from the WHO and the EC. An analysis of the difference between the original WHO and EC returns, and these revised returns will follow shortly.