Introduction
Following the success of the continental ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action, heads of state and government requested our support to develop country-owned national scorecard management tools.
Country scorecard tools are easy to understand colour-coded management tools that help countries:
- track national and sub-national health performance
- identify bottlenecks or gaps
- increase accountability
- drive action
They help leaders and actors at different levels (such as national, subnational and community) make informed data-driven decisions on health. These scorecard tools are used to drive action, such as through addressing upsurges, stock-outs, task-shifting and filling resource gaps.
We support countries in the development of scorecard tools for malaria, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, neglected tropical diseases and nutrition.
Country-owned and country-led scorecard tools
Country scorecard tools are country-owned and country-led. Each country-level scorecard tool is made up of country selected priority indicators based on national strategic plans.
Each country-level scorecard tools are made up of several indicators. Many country scorecard tools focus on a specific health area (such as malaria or neglected tropical diseases) and therefore countries often have more than one scorecard tool.
The scorecard tools show the progress being made at sub-national levels (such as counties or districts) and allows comparisons between sub-national levels, easily identifying areas that are performing well or need additional support.
Country scorecard tool quarterly process
There are 5 stages to the country scorecard tool process. By following these 5 stages and integrating the tool into existing accountability structures, scorecard tools can have a sustainable future.
This process happens on a regular basis (usually each quarter). The 5 stages are:
- Populate the scorecard tool with data from existing sources
- Analyse and prioritise bottlenecks
- Develop action plans to address bottlenecks
- Implement action plans
- Monitor action implementation
This 5-step cycle is repeated on a regular basis. As actions are successfully implemented, countries should see improved performance on the scorecard management tool.
Countries using national scorecard tools
We have helped over 40 countries across Africa introduce country-level scorecards. These include over:
- 41 malaria country scorecard tools
- 30 RMNCAH country scorecard tools
- 18 neglected tropical disease country scorecard tools
- 4 nutrition country scorecard tools
Countries are increasingly sharing their scorecard tools publicly on the Scorecard Hub.
Support we provide to countries
We help countries strengthen and institutionalise their scorecard tools to promote transparent data sharing. This includes:
- decentralising scorecard tools at subnational and community levels
- linking to the national health management information system (such as DHIS2)
- sharing scorecard tools and best practices on the Scorecard Hub
- helping to train a range of stakeholders including politicians
- integrating scorecard tools into health workers’ pre-service training and terms of reference
Contact us
The ALMA Scorecard Hub provides further information about country scorecard tools and how to create a new country scorecard tool.
Please contact us if you would like:
- to learn more about country scorecard tools
- support for creating a new scorecard tool
- support improving an existing scorecard tool