Case study: Harnessing use of near real-time data to support maternal, newborn and child health

A new initiative, supported by the US Fund for UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is allowing decentralized government units and staff to synthesize the near real-time monitoring (NRTM) of localized data in health and nutrition, with community feedback.

The aim is to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and planning at the district, ward and village levels where services are delivered, and to involve the community in improving outcomes for women and children.

The initiative is supporting UNICEF country offices in Kenya, Swaziland, Uganda and Zimbabwe to work hand-in-hand with targeted government counterparts to apply supply-side and demand-side near real-time data to their different contexts.