Establishing a Sustainable Operations Management System for Maternal, Child Health and Infection Prevention and Control Using Quality Improvement Approaches: Learning from Chanika Health Centre, Tanzania (2021-2024)

Joseph C Hokororo, Jackline Makupa, Rashid Mfaume, Sangmoon Shin, Sangmi Lee, Pius Kagoma, Radenta Bahegwe, Ruth Ngowi, Yohannes Msigwa, Erick Kinyenje, Syabo Mwaisengela, Omary Nassoro, Chrisogone German, Laura Marandu, Mbwana M Degeh, Mohamed Mangu’una, Clara Mwita, Agnes Mgaya, Semeni Ssegellah, Sophia Ntomola, Anence Kamasho, Omary Mwa

Abstract

Chanika Health Center was established in 1975 as dispensary and upgraded to Health Centre after construction of several buildings including Maternity wing, OPD, Obstetric, Operating Theatre, Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging, CSSU, Laundry, and 3 story Staff houses buildings with the aid from the Republic of Korea through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and it was inaugurated in August, 2017. In around 2021 the health Centre had increased number of patients attending the facility; therefore, it faced some challenges in terms of inadequate of staff, inadequate operations management skills, inadquate infection prevention and control (IPC) level, maintenance of facilities and equipment provided by KOICA. Limited knowledge and low community awareness on maternal and child health (MCH). Following the gaps above Medipeace in collaboration with KOICA supported the project on ‘’Establishing a Sustainable Operations Management System for Maternal and Child Health and Infection Prevention and Control in Chanika Health Centre,’’ Tanzania (2021-2024). Needs assessment was conducted at facility level and the discussion with Dar es Salaam Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) and Dar es salaam Council Health Management Team (CHMT). Key health worker at different departments/units/wards were also interviewed on needs required to have a sustainable operations management system for quality services provision and adherence to IPC standards. Some of the gaps identified were: limited equipment and consumables for the health delivery, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructures, salt water supply, inadequate health care workers (HCWs)’ knowledge and skills, as well as inadequate facility health technology management. Led to unsatisfactory customer care, where 35% of the customers were not satisfied with the health providers and services. After identification of those gaps, quality improvement approaches started to be implemented. The approaches involved the following: capacity building on IPC and WASH infrastructure and trainings; IPC & WASH monitoring, Health facility planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) trainings, customer care training, provision of Health technology, WASH facilities and IPC equipment, and dissemination of IPC guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures. Capacity on community health workers and supporting their community activities for MCH.