Comment: GAVI Moves on Better Data Verification
Center for Global Development | 11 March 20143/11/14
Victoria Fan  This is a joint post with Kate McQueston.

Excerpt
Data quality and rigorous measurement is important for any funder using performance-based or results-based aid. Poorly measured or self-reported data are often subject to major biases. Indeed, recent CGD research by Justin Sandefur and Amanda Glassman found a clear increase in over-reporting of DTP3 vaccination after GAVI introduced a now defunct pay-for-performance program (its immunization services support program) in the early 2000s.  Thus, strengthening systems to verify data is important and increasingly feasible; recent experience from the World Bank’s HRITF suggests that independent verification of data isn’t overly expensive.

So we’re encouraged by the GAVI Alliance’s new application guidelines, which outline strengthened requirements for data verification of the immunization outcomes used for performance payments as part of its Health System Strengthening (HSS) support. Per the new guidelines, countries must meet both performance goals and “checks and balances for data verification based on WHO/UNICEF estimates, independent assessments of the quality of administrative data, and periodic household surveys.”…