The Data to Policy (D2P) program has been successfully institutionalized within the National Health Research Authority (NHRA), with locally led programs and policy briefs produced. This foundation provided an opportunity to further enhance policy adoption by supporting the establishment of a structured approach to stakeholder engagement and prioritizing previously developed policy initiatives for enactment.

In August 2024, a workshop was conducted on Accelerating Policy Advancement with five teams that had previously completed policy briefs. These teams developed comprehensive policy adoption plans that included specific action commitments to be completed within 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months to move towards implementation.

The workshop featured a combination of didactic sessions and hands-on exercises, enabling participants to break down the elements and scope necessary for the adoption of policy recommendations. Key to the workshop's success was the active engagement, leadership, and participation of the focal point and the country team. As a result, two policy brief topics show significant promise for advancement in the short term:

·      Folic acid fortification of foods to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.

·      Prevention of maternal mortality through improved access to life-saving equipment, such as non-pneumatic anti-shock garments.

To maintain momentum, NHRA has scheduled regular monitoring meetings for all advancement plans. Additionally, a policy advancement framework document is being developed to guide future policy efforts.