Many health professionals are overwhelmed by the number of reports they have to fill in each month for the different donor funded programs. Each donor has their own reporting format and indicators even though they often require the same data.

The WHO is in the process of developing a set of harmonized core M&E indicators for SCM which will be field tested in several African countries in November/December 2009. The report is called: Harmonized Monitoring & Evaluation Indicators for Procurement & Supply Management Systems. Tracking the Performance of PSM Systems for ARVs, TB and Malaria Medicines. Working document for field testing. May 2009.

If you want to know more about the project, go to: http://www.who.int/hiv/amds/me_report/en/index.html to download the report in English or French. Do you think the core indicators are feasible to measure?

I have been trying for close to 18 months now make those indicators feasible (or measurable) in resource limited settings where I work. I must say they are good enough but difficult to put into use in places where a single staff is expected to be "a jack of all trades" which is a common phenomenon in some of our settings. In addition, many of the indicators require an up to date database to continously have the required complete and accurate data in place. I propose that we categorise the indicators in terms of input, process, output, outcome and impact indicators.

This classification will help streamline who should routinely apply/measure which indicator alonside reducing the burden of heavy routine data analysis. Relatedly, this classification will as well improve the involvement of all key stakeholders in the use of the indicators since they will feel 'in-charge'.