The Mara Region Strategy: a cocktail of ownership, evidence, and accountability

In this case study, we recount how Evidence for Action Tanzania supported the Mara Region of Tanzania to develop a new regional strategy to accelerate the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality until 2016. We describe the strategy development process leading up to the launch of the strategy, including aspects that facilitated the process.

We also outline our results, highlighting the impact on quality of care and health service utilisation, as well as the challenges we encountered and the lessons we learnt. The careful use of evidence, collective ownership, and willingness to hold districts to account have been transformative elements of implementation.

This is the fourth case study of our book, MamaYe Evidence for Action Stories of Change: Selected Case Studies. Through illustrative case studies, we describe how Evidence for Action - MamaYe has strategically combined evidence with advocacy and accountability activities in six countries, across Africa, and globally.