Delivery of neglected tropical disease control interventions

Delivery of integrated neglected tropical disease (NTD) control programmes with similar strategic approaches, geographical overlap and prevalence can minimise costs and expand intervention coverage. This has been evidenced through mass drug administration (MDA) of preventive chemotherapy for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, three soil-transmitted helminth infections and trachoma. Where programmes lack a common, simplistic approach and NTD co-endemicity, integration of delivery of NTD control programmes is not necessarily warranted. However, integration of NTD programmes with other disease-specific programmes with operational synergies, with vector control efforts, with other sectors e.g. with WASH to break transmission of NTDs, and within the broader health system will be needed to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate NTDs and this will demand increased collaboration. Research needs to increase in scope to develop better evidence on the effect of NTDs on mental health in patients and caregivers, to include equity analysis and to address social determinants such as stigmatisation

Effectiveness of programmes supporting migrants in Africa

Despite a growing body of research on migration and development, the literature highlights the limited empirical evidence available on the effectiveness of migration programmes. The aid-spending departments of the UK government are in the process of identifying how UK aid contributes to tackling the “root causes of mass migration” and developing new, targeted programmes. A recent rapid review of the UK’s aid response to irregular migration in the central Mediterranean recognises that the body of research offers limited guidance on what works (ICAI, 2017). It calls for improved labelling of migration programmes, investment in monitoring and evaluation, and for the UK’s aid response to irregular migration to be informed by robust analysis (ibid)

How Changes in Technology and Automation will Affect the Labour Market in Africa

Estimates of how many jobs are vulnerable to being replaced by machine vary but it is clear that developing countries are more susceptible to automation compared to high-income countries. Traditionally, blue-collar routine jobs have been automated but with the emergence of greatly improved computing power, artificial intelligence and robotics, a much larger scope of occupations are at risk. Vulnerability to automation is now based on whether jobs or tasks are codifiable and whether they are routine or not. Highly-trained and skilled jobs can be more at risk than more varied, lesser skilled jobs. This rapid literature review found that whilst there is evidence, information and discussion of the impact of automation on the labour market in industrialised nations, there is much less on the potential impact in developing countries. The World Development Report 2016 Digital Dividends (World Bank 2016) was an excellent source of data and many of the figures presented are from this report. Whether you are a “techno-optimist” or a “techno-pessimist”, the impact of automation on the labour market will require long-term adjustment and policy changes to ensure the future of work is inclusive and sustainable and addresses increasing income inequality (Gelb and Khan December 2016) in an ever more automated and digital economy

Counting People and Making People Count: Key Sources of Population Projections

This literature review is the first section of a two part literature review in to population dynamics. The literature review attempts to answer the question, "What are the key sources of information on population dynamics globally and for the countries and regions where DFID works?"This literature review is the first section of a two part literature review in to population dynamics focussing on a review of key global information sources. Three sources of centrally generated projections exist: The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, the World Bank and the Wittgenstein Centre. As the World Bank relies heavily on the UN its role will not be considered. The premier source of population projections is the UN Population Division. This data is easily accessible and updated every two years. Five global datasets are produced by the Division (i) World Population Prospects, (ii) World Urbanisation Prospects, (iii) World Population Policies, (iv) Estimates of family planning indicators and (v) Estimates of the number of international migrants

Evidence and Experience of Procurement in Health Sector Decentralisation

Improving the efficiency, effectiveness, equity and responsiveness of supply chains and procurement processes for pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other health products, which make up a large share of total health expenditure in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), has important implications for health system performance and population health. Decentralised governance of health services provides greater autonomy in planning, management and decision making from national to sub-national level and has occurred in many LMICs largely as a response to the primary healthcare approach promoted by international agencies. Evidence suggests that procurement is more efficient when centralised because of economies of scale and improved purchasing power whilst other health system functions such as financing and planning/budgeting benefit more from local context-specific implementation. Nepal is embarking on a process of decentralisation after adopting a federal approach to local governance. This helpdesk report looks at other countries to summarise key findings and lessons learnt from decentralised procurement