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About BHRIMS

It has already been mentioned elsewhere that the National Response has been promulgated on key structures that form the basis for its machinery. The Botswana HIV and AIDS Response Information System (BHRIMS) has been set up to facilitate the flow of information; provide linkages between stakeholders; as well as to institute a national database across the national response.

The Botswana HIV and AIDS Response Information Management System (BHRIMS) was developed due to the recognized need to gain better understanding of the HIV and AIDS interventions in the country, generate adequate information on the response, and improve the utilization of generated information for program planning, policy formulation and appropriate allocation of available resources.

Objectives

• To establish a monitoring and evaluation infrastructur

• To support the storage and analysis of all available HIV and AIDS data at different levels in the country

• To improve the accessibility of HIV and AIDS information and data

• To increase the utilization of available reports and data for action

• To maintain institutional memory of the HIV and AIDS national response.

• To support data collection, analysis, reporting, storage and sharing of HIV AND AIDS information among stakeholders

• To promote evidence-based planning of HIV AND AIDS interventions

• To maintain institutional memory of the National HIV AND AIDS response

Guiding Principles

	The importance of consensus in improving effective use of HIV and IADS M&E data for action
	The advantages of simplicity of the system for easier understanding and sustainability of the system.
	Streamlining BHRIMS to standardized core indicators related and relevant to central, district and programme level shall be used to determine the information needs.
	Central coordination of BHRIMS in line with the national mandate of NACA as the national machinery empowered to develop a centralized system to collect, verify, enter and analyze M&E information for action.
	Institutional linkages and collaboration with all relevant partners that have comparative advantage in the generation of appropriate M&E information related to the national response.

Important features of the BHRIMS structure

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	It is multi-sectoral in nature, consistent with the recognition that HIV and AIDS is not just a public health challenge but a development issue as well, hence the need to enlist contributions from a wide variety of stakeholders.
	There is an emphasis on feedback—the bi-directional arrows symbolize the importance placed on information sharing, from community level response upwards, and back down again. This ensures that the system does not end up being a “conveyor belt” of data from generation points to the top, as this would likely lead to reporting fatigue and disempowerment of implementing partners.
	The position of NACA as an information hub—this is where all reports end up before they are collated and reported to the National AIDS Council (NAC). As none of the sectors report directly to the NAC, this structure enables NACA to harmonize M&E systems and standardize reporting formats. This is a critical ingredient in establishing a single national M&E system, as it facilitates data collection that meets agreed upon national information needs.

Outcome Monitoring and Impact Evaluation

BHRIMS also undertakes to assess outcomes and impact of the national HIV AND AIDS response, using nationally and globally agreed indicators such UNGASS, SADC, Universal Access and many others. Projects undertaken in this area include Second Generation HIV AND AIDS Surveillance led by Ministry of Health, Botswana AIDS Impact Surveys (I, II and III) done in collaboration with Central Statistics Office, Special Studies such the Demographic Impact Study of 2006, Economic Impact Study of 2006, HIV AND AIDS Projections of 2008. Below are examples of some indicators derived from Surveillance and UNGASS projects.

Technical Work Group (TWG) – Terms of Reference

	To provide technical guidance in the implementation of the BHRIMS concept
	Provide Technical guidance on the BHRIMS policy, strategies and plan of action
	Provide technical guidance in the Finalization of the National Core and Performance Indicators
	Provide technical guidance in the development of Process indicators for Sectors and Districts
	Provide technical guidance in the development of Process indicators for Sectors and Districts
	Provide technical guidance in the Harmonization and development of data collection tools and realistic pathways
	Provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of capacity building plan on M&E for the country
	Provide technical guidance in the utilization of generated M&E data in the country