prevalence of wasting by nearly 27%.95 The use of “Sprinkles” has been replicated successfully in other Bank countries, including Nicaragua.96 Moreover, in 2012 the U.S. Treasury recognized the program for its development impact.97 To provide continuity, the Expansion and Integration of Basic Nutrition Program (GYL1028) was approved in 2009 and has continued to provide Sprinkles to children and pregnant women in all regions. Data on results vary by source, however.98 Additionally, the program has faced continuous execution delays that affect the accomplishment of the target related to stunting.99 The Health Sector Program (GY0077), approved in 2004 and completed in 2011, had the goal of “improving the organizational and institutional capacity of the health sector and of the health services delivery system.” According to the PCR, program accomplishments include: development of the health management information system; an increased vaccination rate among children under one year of age, now 85%; and a more efficient provisioning of drugs to health facilities.100 The program also financed the expansion of the Linden Regional Hospital,101 and the rehabilitation of the inpatient ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), as well as the installation of the Routine Maintenance Management System in GPH. The site validation visit by OVE confirmed that while the required minimum level of essential equipment and furnishings were in place, investments in infrastructure were not always accompanied by the purchase and maintenance of corresponding equipment. Similarly, although the program tackled some challenges such as planning and management inefficiencies, the sector still lacks skilled human resources, and faces geographic constraints that create gaps in services at all levels.102 Social statistics. The Bank supported the national statistics system in Guyana through the Social Statistics Program (GY0070), a US$2.8 million operation that aimed to “increase the capacity of the country to generate social and other relevant data to undertake evidence-based policy analysis, and to monitor poverty reduction strategy implementation and impact.” The program’s main accomplishment was rebasing of the National Accounts with a new base year of 2006 for constant GDP, which resulted in updated and new information from sectors such as transportation, construction and the services industry. Though the PCR also mentions as accomplishments the creation of reports on PRSP performance and the launching of the Bureau of Statistics website, OVE was not able to confirm a significant improvement in the quality, quantity, or availability of social statistics. Most recent information on poverty dates from 2006, and information on social indicators is not always publicly available. Furthermore, the planned household survey was not implemented; although the tools and instruments were developed.103 The program involved the training of staff in data collection and analysis at the Bureau of Statistics and line ministries; however, the abatement of salary subsidies upon the conclusion of the project led to staff discontent and resignations. The program faced a one-year delay in execution related to the procurement of an international firm. 36
Country Program Evaluation: Guyana 2008 - 2012