Monitoring and evaluation as a tool to support policy decisions

The Brazilian Global Fund TB Project, through the use of M&E tools as compose a M&E network, which intends to strengthen the use of information in order to help and support policy makers. Srengthening the analysis on the data produced by the National Surveillance System as to build a M&E network as a tool to support the allocation of activities' efforts and funds. To construct an M&E network including the Ministry of Health, local governments and the civil society. This network intends to show the value of the information to plan activities for tuberculosis control. It will help to demonstrate how to construct a new M&E culture, which will not include M&A as a controller. This process will contribute to strengthen the National Surveillance System and the M&E network. Furthermore, the M&E network provides special trainning to strengthen the National Surveillance System, meetings and workshops to discuss and establish liaisons among tuberculosis partners control. Results: The M&A network proposal was launched in January of 2008. The 57 municipalities covered by the project adopted the network as a strategy. The networking group decided to establish four focal points. These points will be responsible for mobilizing the strength of Surveillance System and disseminate the M&E culture. During these six months of existence, the M&E network proposed a collective assessment of epidemiological data analysis, discussions and actions undertaken by the government and the Global Fund Project. This process addressed the importance of planning actions using M&E data. The M&E network can evidence the real demand to control tuberculosis by data evidences and the sponsor's involvement. Conclusions: The network will be an important influence to strengthen the use of the National Surveillance System among the policy makers and the civil society.