Year One, Annual Progress Report: The Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby Activity

The activity aimed to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in 12 districts of the country. The initiative focused on strengthening the local health system, improving access to quality healthcare services, and promoting healthy behaviors among communities. Implementation of the activity involved several key interventions. These included training of health care workers, community health teams, and community health promoters on essential skills such as antenatal care, infection control, and exclusive breastfeeding. The activity also supported the establishment of healthy lifestyle centers and community-based events to promote social behavior change communication. A total of 2,500 health care workers received training in the first year, with a focus on clinical protocols and guidelines, continuing medical education, and quality improvement. Community health teams and promoters were trained on topics such as infant and young child feeding, integrated management of acute malnutrition, and integrated management of childhood illnesses. The activity also supported the implementation of digital data collection applications on CommCare, which enabled real-time monitoring of health indicators and program progress. Monitoring visits to nutrition resource centers and comprehensive lists of health care workers were also conducted to ensure effective implementation of the activity. Key findings from the first year of the activity included a 27% increase in the number of pregnant women receiving antenatal care, a 25% increase in the number of children under five receiving vitamin A supplementation, and a 20% increase in the number of children under five receiving therapeutic food. The activity also reported a 15% increase in the number of health care workers trained on essential skills. Implementation challenges faced by the activity included limited access to healthcare services in rural areas, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled health care workers. To address these challenges, the activity implemented a COVID-sensitive approach, which included the use of digital data collection tools and remote monitoring of health indicators. The activity also prioritized sustainability and self-reliance, with a focus on building the capacity of local health authorities and communities to manage and implement health programs. The activity worked closely with the government of Tajikistan, local partners, and donors to ensure effective coordination and collaboration. In terms of geographic focus, the activity targeted 12 districts in Tajikistan, with a focus on improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in these areas. The activity also prioritized the needs of vulnerable populations, including women-headed households and children under five. The activity's timeframes and recommendations were aligned with the USAID/Tajikistan: The Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby Activity Work Plan Timeline.