Improving Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Outcomes in seven sub-districts (Archived)

The purpose of this project is to improve the health outcomes of maternal and child health, through quality improvement strategies at health facilities and community based interventions, in seven selected sub-Districts in four Provinces. These districts were also selected on the basis that they were lagging behind in performance on a number of key maternal and child health care indicators.

The project, funded by UNICEF, aims to enhance the capacity of provinces to meet the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specifically, goals 4, 5 and 6. :
(4) Two thirds reduction in infant mortality
(5) Three quarters reduction in maternal deaths
(6) Combat HIV and AIDS

The deprivation index was used as the basis for selecting districts given that many health outcomes, in particular those related to women and children, are very sensitive to socio-economic conditions including the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, education etc. (HST: 2006/07 District Health Barometer and updated using the 2007 Community Survey).

The project deliverables are to:

• Assess the health and nutritional status of women and children and their access to Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition interventions in the seven sub-districts
• Support the development of integrated plans for accelerating Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition interventions, including the recommendations of the Saving Mothers report
• Scale-up access to HAART and other testing in PHC facilities through the down-referral of services
• Scale-up community-based Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition packages
• Improve the quality of maternal and neonatal care and infant feeding practices through the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
• Develop a report card on PMTCT, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition in the seven sub-districts