Mozambique MCHIP Technical Briefs: Humanization and Quality Improvement

In 2004, the MOH introduced the Standards-Based Management and Recognition (SBM-R) approach to improve quality in Infection Prevention and Control and later in Model Inpatient Wards. Progress in these areas informed the development and implementation of the National Plan to Humanize and Improve Quality of Care in Reproductive Health and Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Services (2009), including the Model Maternities Initiative. In March 2011, the MOH launched the National Strategy for Humanization and Quality Improvement of Health Care, with the aim to deliver client-centered health services based on scientific evidence. SBM-R was adopted as the main approach under this national strategy. MCHIP/Mozambique provides technical assistance to the MOH to build and strengthen partnerships to enable the implementation of the National Strategy, and to promote the standardization of practice within priority service delivery areas, including maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), reproductive health (RH), family planning (FP), and cervical cancer prevention (CECAP). The MOH has established structures for the implementation of the National H&QI Strategy (2011-2014) and has actively promoted coordination and participation of USG and non-USG partners and communities. Partnerships have been strengthened with the MOH and USG implementing partners for key MNCH/SRH/FP activities, including quality improvement and community mobilization. The MOH has institutionalized and sustained efforts on H&QI of health care with the development and dissemination of the National Strategy for H&QI (2011-2014) and QI Standards in priority MOH areas. The National Strategy for H&QI (2015-2019) is currently being developed, and H&QI has been incorporated into the 2014-2019 Health Sector Strategic Plan and the annual Economic and Social Plan to ensure governmental financial support. National and regional H&QI meetings are conducted to evaluate progress, share lessons learned, and recognize good performance. Bimonthly meetings are held to coordinate and track progress in H&QI by the Technical Secretariat. MCHIP has provided technical support to the MOH to organize and facilitate Technical Working Groups with USG partners and clinical experts to develop/update, test, and finalize H&QI Standards in the following areas: MNCH including PMTCT, Malaria, IMCI, Nutrition and RH/FP/CECAP. As of December 2014, 1,661 Health Professionals have been trained in SBM-R to implement the Model Maternity Initiative, Family Planning, and CECAP programs, and 265 health program managers from the provincial and central-level were trained to implement, supervise, monitor, and evaluate H&QI initiatives. Onsite technical assistance is provided by MCHIP to strengthen the capacity of the local teams to implement the H&QI standards, including the development of action plans to address identified gaps. MCHIP has also trained 25 health professionals from USG partners on SBM-R and has finalized an MOU with EGPAF for collaboration in the area of Performance Based Incentives within select Model Maternity facilities. Upcoming plans include strengthening the role of the H&QI teams within the health facility and promoting cross-learning/exchange visits as an incentive to support the process of change in clinical practices in the targeted health facilities/services.