UNAIDS is working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. Please visit the unit's web site www.infomio.ru. The development and maintenance of the web site has been supported by UNAIDS and UNDP.
HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is currently receiving tremendous attention at highest levels and in many international fora within the context of global and security issues. Recent meetings highlighting the importance of national HIV/AIDS M&E systems include, for example, the G8 Summits in Gleneagles and St Petersburg as well as the High Level Forum on Joint Progress Towards Aid Effectiveness in Paris and the London Forum on Global Responses to AIDS in 2005. Furthermore, UNAIDS has underscored the importance of M&E by featuring it prominently within its new global strategy called the “Three Ones” which advocates for the establishment of ONE national strategy, ONE national AIDS coordinating authority and ONE agreed country-level M&E system.
A comprehensive M&E system allows tracking what is being done in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care and whether these activities are making a difference.
Why is it important to establish a national HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation system in the Russian Federation?
Such a system would allow to:
- provide consistent and reliable data about the epidemic and the national response in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support
- help the national authorities to make the most effective and efficient use of resources and ensure that the most effective approaches are being taken
- allow for integration of the M&E systems currently being established under the Global Fund projects as well as under the World Bank HIV/AIDS and TB loan into an overall national M&E system in order to enable coordination and assess the effectiveness of these projects
- ensure the collection of the required data for reporting on Russia’s achievements towards targets set by global commitments (Millennium Development Goals, UNGASS Declaration of Commitment and Universal Access Targets)
In addition, a comprehensive HIV/AIDS M&E system would help health care managers and specialists in the Russian Federation to:
- determine the extent to which HIV/AIDS programs are on track and to make any needed corrections accordingly
- make informed decisions regarding operations management and service delivery
- provide accountability for HIV/AIDS programs and services to the funding authorities and the communities they are serving
What are the elements of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS M&E system?
1. One M&E information system (flowchart and national data base)
2. Surveillance (biological, behavioral and social impact surveillance)
3. Essential research (on priority research questions in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment)
4. Financial management monitoring
5. Program activity monitoring (tracking HIV/AIDS related activities and services through a monitoring system that ensures that all partners submit regular, structured program reports)