Strengthening Data-Driven Stewardship of PMTCT Programmes (Phase I & Phase II)

Timeline: January 2017 – December 2018 | Status: Completed

Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Nasarawa, Rivers States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Project Overview

Data plays a critical role in the fight against HIV. When used effectively, it enables health leaders to identify gaps in service delivery, allocate resources strategically, and improve outcomes for mothers and children. Between 2017 and 2018, the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF), with support from Johnson & Johnson, implemented a two-phase initiative to strengthen the stewardship of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmes across five states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The project focused on improving how HIV programme data was collected, analysed, interpreted, and used by government stakeholders responsible for overseeing PMTCT services. By strengthening data-driven leadership and accountability, the initiative sought to support more effective programme management and accelerate Nigeria's efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Implemented across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Nasarawa, Rivers States, and the Federal Capital Territory, the project worked closely with state and federal stakeholders to strengthen their capacity to use evidence for planning, monitoring, and programme improvement.

Phase I established the foundations for stronger data stewardship, while Phase II consolidated gains and deepened institutional capacity to support sustainable data use within PMTCT programmes.

Despite significant investments in PMTCT programmes, many health systems struggled to fully leverage routine programme data to drive decision-making. Information was often collected but not consistently analysed or translated into action, limiting opportunities to identify performance gaps, improve service delivery, and strengthen accountability.

As Nigeria pursued the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, there was a growing need for stronger data stewardship at both state and federal levels to ensure that programme decisions were informed by timely and reliable evidence.

HSDF worked with government institutions and programme stakeholders to strengthen the systems and capacities required for data-informed programme management. The project focused on:

Improving the quality and use of PMTCT programme data.
Strengthening government capacity for data analysis and interpretation.
Supporting evidence-based planning and performance monitoring.
Enhancing accountability mechanisms within PMTCT programmes.
Promoting routine use of data to identify challenges and guide corrective actions.
Strengthening collaboration between stakeholders involved in HIV programme implementation.

The phased design allowed stakeholders to progressively build skills, institutionalise processes, and embed data use practices within programme management structures.

The project strengthened the ability of health leaders and programme managers to use data as a strategic tool for improving PMTCT performance. By fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making, the initiative supported more effective oversight of HIV programmes and contributed to national efforts to reduce new HIV infections among children.

Importantly, the project helped shift the focus from data collection alone to data use—ensuring that information generated through routine programme activities informed action, accountability, and continuous improvement.