This assessment provides an external and critical view of the EVA-BHN programme. It provides learning for improving programme effectiveness over the remaining 16 months, for informing the design of future DFID health programme(s) in Pakistan, and for communicating with stakeholders.

The assessment was conducted in October, November, and December 2017 through a desk review of international evidence and programme documentation and data, as well as through a visit to four of the programme districts and the two province capitals, where qualitative data was collected. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with community group members and 55 key informant interviews were conducted across the two provinces. Findings in this report come from a desk review of EVA-BHN monitoring data, EVA-BHN research and case studies, and also from the limited primary data collection. It is not possible to generalise many of the findings, but they give useful information and insights.

EVA-BHN is an £18.86 million health voice and accountability programme working at community, district, and province level in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since February 2014. It is part of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) Provincial Health and Nutrition Programme (PHNP), which supports delivery of an Essential Health Services Package (EHSP) by the governments of Punjab and KP.

Suggested citation: 
Taylor, G. and Khan, S. (2018). Empowerment, voice and accountability for better health and nutrition (EVA-BHN) – Independent assessment. London, UK: High-Quality Technical Assistance for Results (HEART).