As part of the review of Sierra Leone’s Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI), researchers assessed its monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, strengths and weaknesses, and the changes that took place as a result of the FHCI.

This brief notes that a strong M&E system is crucial to help improve performance and achieve results. Several key points were identified as part of the review to strengthen health sector M&E processes. These include: consulting key data users to clarify what information should be collected and how frequently, and using this as the basis to develop a new M&E strategy; improving the quality and coherence of the various health data sources, especially for maternal mortality; increasing the publication and dissemination of health data analysis in user-friendly formats; strengthening the demand for and use of health information particularly through health sector reviews and accountability processes.

For other reports in this series on Sierra Leone’s Free Health Care Initiative, see:

• Sierra Leone’s free health care initiative: financing implications
• The free health care initiative (FHCI) in Sierra Leone: real gains for mothers and young children
• Fiscal space analysis in Sierra Leone: the free health care initiative and universal health coverage