Making pregnancy safer initiative--program impact in selected pilot areas

This paper highlights program evaluation carried out on Making Pregnancy Safer Program interventions implemented by FHD in partnership with WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, SIDA Sweden, the World bank and European Commission to increase availability of Emergency Obstetric Care Services in four pilot regions.

A participatory evaluation design was employed that included FMoH, RHB and other key partners. The qualitative approach examined client and community perception, provider's perspectives and program manager's views at different levels with regard to service provision, quality of care, service utilization and the impact of the MPS strategy. The quantitative aspect assessed met and unmet needs, service utilization and quality of service.

Evaluation shown positive trend in process indicators of maternal health service utilization. Staff who received training in Emergency Obstetric Care are better off in both skill and knowledge acquisition. Majority of facilities had basic resources and functions for Emergency Obstetrics care. However, infrastructure deficiencies such as absence of waiting area, lack of privacy for clients, lack of toilets and water, shortage of life saving drugs, lack of context specific IEC materials were observed. At the community level, the main reason for dissatisfaction with health facility services was poor service provider attitude.

MPS established a strong foundation to build stronger, better quality of emergency obstetrics and neonatal care that are used by those who needed it. It is time to consolidate and sustain improvements and vigorously support Regional Health Bureaus to ensure quality emergency obstetrics and neonatal care can be made available for all pregnant women, and progress toward the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved.