USAID/PHCPI Model Clinics Fact Sheet

The initiative aims to upgrade 36 selected Primary Health Care Clinics (PHCCs) across all 18 Iraqi Provinces into an agreed-upon model standard. The MOH envisions a Model Clinic as a facility equipped with modern medical equipment, stocked with necessary drugs and medical supplies, staffed with well-trained providers, and efficiently functioning within a reliable health system. To be considered a Model Clinic, a higher level of care must be offered to clients. The criteria for this were developed by examining what is necessary for the optimal functioning of the PHCC, what can be easily verified and monitored against MOH/PHCPI standards, and taking into consideration the Iraqi context and environment. Based on these criteria, the MOH and PHCPI collaborated to develop a set of 85 standards that cover all elements of a fully functional Model Clinic. The standards were grouped into eight domains, including physical structure, cleanliness and infection control, patients' rights and client care, diagnostic and pharmaceutical services, health promotion and community partnership, leadership and management, medical records and continuity of care, and maternal and child health. Since its start, USAID/PHCPI worked hand in hand with the MOH to improve the quality of primary health care services of the 298 PHCCs, including the 36 Model Clinics. Key activities included strengthening management systems, improving clinical services, enhancing community participation in PHCC decision making, and supplying the clinics with necessary equipment and upgrades. Recent accomplishments for USAID/PHCPI Model Clinics include the MOH's acceptance and endorsement of the Model Clinic Criteria, which consists of 85 standards, on February 6, 2014. The MOH and PHCPI also agreed to a process of joint Model Clinic assessments to facilitate final certification of the Model Clinics and provide a framework to replicate the Model Clinics initiative in the remainder of the 298 targeted clinics. The joint assessment of all clinics was completed on June 3rd, and the results revealed that 19 clinics had reached the level to be certified as a Model Clinic. For the remaining 15 clinics, PHCPI and the MOH developed operational strategy and action plans to improve the services and functions to enable them to reach the Model Clinic standards within the timeframe left on the project. The plans identify interventions to improve the services in those clinics and assign the respective responsibilities for implementing these interventions. As of June 26th, the MOH organized certification ceremonies for 12 of the 19 clinics that have met the Model Clinic status. The upgrade of 36 PHCCs to the level of fully functional Model Clinics will contribute directly to improvements in health outcomes for the Iraqi people. The Model Clinics will serve as an example for the development and upgrade of PHCCs throughout the country by the MOH, who will now take the lead in advancing Model Clinic replication efforts across the country. In addition, 450 PHCC staff from all 36 Model Clinics were trained on the 85 Model Clinic Standards, focusing on the concepts, criteria, and application of standards for Model Clinics.