Evaluation of the Global Fund Technical Assistance COVID-19 Response Mechanism – Final Evaluation Report

Background Information
The impact of COVID19 pandemic globally led to a decline in the HIV, TB, and Malaria program results. Based on the Global Fund results report 2021, HIV tests taken declined by 22%, one million few people with TB were treated in 2020 compared to 2021 in global fund supported countries. Malaria was the least affected program, however the suspected cases of malaria tested dropped by 4.3% compared with 2019. Kenya implemented various measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 under the leadership of the national emergency response committee and implemented through county level response teams. While there are studies on COVID-19 in Kenya, the documentation on how HIV, TB and malaria were affected by COVID-19 and the mitigation measures implemented for continuity of care are not done collectively. The evaluation sought to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the three disease areas, document mitigation measures by various players in the health sector and document the status and beneficiaries of health products procured through the GF C19RM. The findings of the evaluation would be used to inform the development of COVID-19 catch-up plan.

Purpose of the Evaluation and Objectives.
This evaluation was informed by the impact of COVID-19 that led to a decline in the HIV, TB, and malaria program results. The unavailability of collectively documented studies on COVID-19 in Kenya, on how HIV, TB, and malaria were affected by COVID-19 at county level and the mitigation measures implemented for continuity of care across all 3 disease areas provided impetus to this evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation was thus to assess the effects of COVID-19 on HIV, TB, and Malaria services in Kenya.
a) To estimate the qualitative and quantitative effects of COVID-19 on HIV, TB, and malaria services in Kenya.
b) To document the measures implemented by Ministry of Health (MOH) at national and county levels.
c) To document the status and recipients of GF C19RM procured commodities and supplies in Kenya.

Geographical Scope.
Geographically, the study targeted 12 counties which had previously received USAID RISE project support. The counties included Nairobi, Murang'a, Kiambu, Embu, Machakos, Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Busia Counties.