Brasys initiatives

BI Zambia conducted an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) of the Nursing & Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ). The assessment examined NMCZ’s digital learning systems and ecosystem, identifying barriers and enablers to support implementing a sustainable national eLearning platform for pre-service and in-service nurse-midwifery education.

FHI360 subcontracted BI Zambia, under a contract by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to compile essential evidence on interventions that effectively promote more equitable access to childhood immunization services in low- and middle-income countries. The BI Zambia team, actively supported the meticulous gathering of evidence and crucial stakeholder consultations. This work culminated in a detailed Zambia case study focusing on real-world, pro-equity interventions designed to effectively reach zero-dose (ZD) children and underserved communities with vaccination services, clearly highlighting best practices and lessons learned. The Zambia case study specifically emphasized the innovative use of GIS mapping as a tool to successfully reach zero-dose children and missed communities. See the case study here.

BI Zambia conducted an end-of-phase evaluation of SolidarMed’s Decentralized Model of Nursing Training Programme to assess its effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. The evaluation examined the scale-up of decentralised nursing education, the integration of blended training for nurses, midwives and public health nurses, and the strengthening of institutional capacity to sustain the model. Using the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, the team applied a mixed-methods approach combining document review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, case studies and secondary data analysis. The findings informed recommendations to improve training quality, strengthen institutional capacity, and support the replication and scale-up of the decentralised nursing training model.

BI Zambia conducted the 3As (Awareness, Accessibility and Affordability) Survey for OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s Eye Care Services Programme to establish a baseline on access to eye health services, with a focus on refractive errors and spectacles. The survey assessed household awareness of eye care, physical access to services, and perceived affordability of eye examinations and spectacles. Using a cross-sectional household survey, the team collected data from 637 households across 17 districts, examining differences between rural and urban communities and the influence of proximity to vision centres. The findings identified barriers and opportunities to improve awareness, access and affordability, informing programme planning and efforts to strengthen equitable access to sustainable eye care services.

BI Zambia conducted a comprehensive assessment of midwifery training needs within Zambia. The core objective of this assessment was to gain a more profound understanding of the existing gaps in clinical training for midwives at various health facilities. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify and explore opportunities for establishing a more functional and effective preceptorship program for midwives, ultimately contributing to improved maternal and child health outcomes.

BI Zambia participated in the 9th biennial National Health Research Conference 2020. This included sponsoring 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students to the conference.  You can watch our presentation on capacity building with a view of sustainability here.

BI Zambia conducted a mixed-methods programme evaluation to assess the effectiveness, impact and value for money of PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools)’ approach to delivering inclusive, quality and sustainable secondary education in Zambia. The evaluation reviewed existing schools and established baseline reference points for the newly established Secondary Schools. Using a comparative design, the assessment combined a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey, qualitative interviews, focus group discussions and secondary analysis of school performance data. The evaluation examined access, quality and sustainability, with particular attention to marginalized girls, socioeconomically disadvantaged learners and students with low prior attainment, generating evidence and recommendations to strengthen programme implementation and inform improvements in Zambia’s secondary education system.

BI Zambia conducted an independent end-of-programme evaluation of the Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia (CHSZ)’s Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities project in Eastern Province, Zambia. The evaluation assessed progress towards improving the identification, enrolment, retention and learning outcomes of children with disabilities across primary schools in five districts. Using a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation engaged participants through household surveys, interviews and stakeholder consultations, alongside a review of project monitoring data and documents. The assessment examined outcomes at individual, household, community, school and policy levels, generating evidence on programme effectiveness, changes in attitudes towards disability, accessibility of education, and the sustainability of inclusive education practices in rural communities.

BI Zambia undertook an Independent Endline Evaluation of the FCDO-funded “Empowering young women to prevent the early marriage of vulnerable girls in rural Zambia” program. This evaluation critically assessed the program’s effectiveness and its impact on preventing early marriage among vulnerable girls in the specified rural areas. The comprehensive assessment provided key insights into the achievements and challenges of the intervention.

BI Zambia contributed to the development of a strong digital teaching and learning ecosystem for nursing and midwifery education in Zambia, by assessing the digital learning through a national ecosystem landscaping and developing an eLearning strategy and operational plan.

BI Zambia worked with Oxfam to implement the second phase of the Our Zambia project from April to September 2021. BI provided MEAL support to the project, including developing and deploying a robust M&E system for the program.