Evidence, advocacy and accountability for maternal and newborn survival, 2011–2016. Malawi is one of the six countries of the DFID-funded £19.5M Evidence for Action (E4A) programme managed by Options, which is also operating in Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania. The E4A programme is working to improve maternal and newborn outcomes, linking evidence, advocacy and accountability. The programme is using and presenting evidence to decision makers and advocates to generate political commitment, and to strengthen accountability to create change and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Improving maternal and newborn health using results-based financing initiatives, 2011–2014. Options is leading the KfW and Norad-funded programme using results-based financing mechanisms to improve maternal and newborn health which is improving the supply of maternal health services in the Eastern Central Zone by means of performance-based contracts with Government and private health facilities, and also increasing demand through the provision of cash transfers to pregnant women. The programme is providing international and local technical assistance to build the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Reproductive Health Unit in implementing a results-based financing approach. The programme has three principal components: immediate investments in minor infrastructure and equipment for participating facilities to bring them up to a minimum operating level; provision of financial rewards to facility-based teams at both district level and below, and District Health Management Teams; provision of a conditional cash transfer to women delivering in an approved health facility.