JHPIEGO's work in policy: a comprehensive review

This report explores the various ways in which JHPIEGO has been involved in policy-related work. The report documents several specific contributions to policy, and provides a comprehensive picture of JHPIEGO's overall approach to policy.

The article indicates that JHPIEGO's policy work is organised around the following categories:

• identifying policy issues
• identifying policy solutions
• advocating for policy change
• formulating policy
• implementing policy and evaluating policy

The article emphasises that work is not typically carried out in a sequential series of discrete steps. Policy work is circular and in many cases falls into more than one category.

The article indicates that the Framework for Strengthening Reproductive Health Systems in National Programs provides a useful model for exploring JHPIEGO's policy work because each element of the framework is affected by policy. In some cases, the role of policy is readily evident, as in the case of service delivery guidelines development, in which JHPIEGO works with countries to develop policies based on up-to-date scientific knowledge and international standards. Other components of the framework (such as service delivery points) seem less related to policy but for programs to work.

To assess JHPIEGO's impact on policy, two methods of data collection were employed: an internal document review and synthesis, and key informant interviews.

The interviews and document review revealed that:

• JHPIEGO is involved in policy work at various levels of the healthcare system
• policy concerns are an integral part of JHPIEGO's programmatic work
• most staff considered service delivery guidelines development to be the only area in which JHPIEGO does policy work

NB. This paper is available online and free of charge from the publisher after registration.