SDGs Roundtable Continues with Focus on Data Collection and Health Services

July 29, 2019

Second day of the SDGs Roundtable Discussions in Sepidar Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. © UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

 

The week of expert roundtable discussions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continued with lively debates on data collection, SDGs modelling options for Afghanistan and policy options to improve health services and achieving Goal 3 (Good health and well-being).

The session on data collection was held at the Sepidar palace with officials from Afghanistan National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) and international experts discussing ways to collect reliable data that can help achieve the SDGs.

Deputy Director of NSIA Hassibullah Muahid briefed the participants on the capacities and mandate of the department and thanked UNDP for bringing together this group of international experts to present solutions, tools and modules for data collection and use of the data to help achieve SDGs. “There is a lot of data but very little is used to formulate policy” said Mr. Muahid, “UNDP can play key role in coordinating among line ministries through SDGs platform so the data is translated into policy recommendation.”

Joining the discussion from USA via teleconference, Tawheeda Wahabzada a senior research associate with Open Data Watch presented options for SDGs data collection from conflict environments and the challenges of lack of data and population census in Afghanistan and its implications on achieving SDGs.

While acknowledging the challenge of data deficiency, UNDP Afghanistan Resident Representative Abdallah Al Dardari emphasized on making creative use of the available data as the conflict and fragile security situation make it difficult to collect data. “Let’s not make the perfect enemy of the good” said Mr. Dardari, desire for additional data should not stop us from moving forward with SDGs modelling with relevant partners.”

Attending the discussions Minister of Economy Mustafa Mansoor also reiterated the need for better data collection and agreed that limitation on data has impacts on the policy “although the data collection has improved, but lack of awareness, corruption and conflict are realities that limit our ability for better data collection” said Minister Mastoor.

The third day of the discussion was focused on improving health services and the Ministry of Public Health’s plans to achieve Goal 3. Opening the session Minister of Public Health Ferozuddin Feroz praised UNDP for stepping up and taking on its roles as the integrator of SDGs and helping the government align its plans with the Global Goals. The minister also acknowledged the crucial support of UNDP and Global Fund in fighting HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and emphasized on better coordination to avoid duplications. “UNDP, as the integrator of SDGs can play a crucial role in coordinating the work of all partners involved in health sector and avoid duplication”

Mr. Dardari assured the Minister that the session will work as per his policy direction and UNDP will play its integrator role to coordinate among all partners involved in health sector. Mr. Dardari also emphasized on the need for involvement of wider partners and closer coordination to improve health services and move closer to achieving SDG3. “Siloed projects do not work well. We will have to promote public-private partnership, Islamic financing like Zakat and other means to involve wider participation in health sector” said Mr. Dardari.

The session also included presentations on simulation of SDGs and the impact of increased spending in one sector on other sectors. The Ministry of Public Health welcomed UNDP’s support in coordinating among government ministries and other UN agencies, to ensure close collaboration.

The next round of discussion will continue with the Ministries of Finance and Economy as well as with other UN agencies and donor community. The main purpose of these discussions are to design integrated programmes in the context of SDGs and move from a war economy to a peace economy. The work is immense, but there is huge potential and great opportunity to achieve the goals.

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© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

© UNDP / Farhad Zalmai / 2019

© UNDP / Farhad Zalmai / 2019

© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

© UNDP / Farhad Zalmai / 2019

© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019

© UNDP / Farhad Zalmai / 2019

© UNDP / S. Omer Sadaat / 2019