USAID Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) Success Story: Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses Improves Health Worker Performance and Quality of Care

PHCPI works alongside the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve the quality of primary health care services. One of the programs instrumental in improving health outcomes is the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI). IMCI is a strategy that ensures the combined treatment of major childhood illnesses, emphasizing prevention of disease through immunization and improved nutrition. The program has been implemented in various districts, including Almuqdadia, where Dr. Qais Hasan, the district director, has seen significant successes. Staff trained in IMCI have reported improved care flow and patient outcomes, with many successes attributed to staff trainings and follow-ups. The implementation of IMCI has enabled primary health care clinics (PHCCs) to properly diagnose, treat, and document childhood illnesses. In Almuqdadia, PHCCs have seen improved health worker performance and quality of care, with staff able to treat patients and fill out IMCI records more efficiently. The program's success has been attributed to the training and support provided by PHCPI. The USAID Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Contract No. AID-267-C-0-11-00004 and is implemented by University Research Co., LLC (URC). PHCPI aims to strengthen the primary health care system, critical for achieving the Ministry of Health's strategic goal of improved quality of primary health care services and overall healthcare outcomes for Iraq. The implementation of IMCI has contributed to the reduction of child and neonatal mortality, bringing Iraq closer to achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. The program's success has been recognized in various districts, including Diyala, where IMCI has improved health worker performance and quality of care. With continued support and implementation, PHCPI aims to further improve health outcomes in Iraq, ultimately achieving the goal of improved quality of primary health care services.