Design and Planning of PHCs

INTRODUCTION Where? Oromia region in Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

The Health Extension program has worked to fill the human resource gap in Ethiopia by providing a package of 16 basic preventative and curative services in 4 key areas:

1. Hygiene and environmental sanitation 2. Family Health Services 3. Disease prevention and control 4. Health education and communication

The program has been an overwhelming success and a model for other countries. However, more progress is needed in certain areas. Our project seeks to strengthen this program through capacity building and further improving the quality and coverage of several key technical areas.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Despite the current services that are provided through the  large cadre of Health Extension Workers, Ethiopia  continues to face poor health outcomes in mothers and  children, with maternal and under‐five mortality ratios  (U5MR) being 378 per 100,000 live births and 62 deaths  per 1000 live births, respectively (World Bank, 2014).  Specifically in the Oromia region, U5MR is 112 deaths per  1000 live births, and the TFR is 4.4 children per woman  (DHS, 2011 & 2014). There is low utilization of facility  based services, and thus far, the planned activities of  HEWs have not been adequate to fill these coverage gaps  for RMNCH services. 

PROJECT GOAL & OBJECTIVES GOAL: To improve maternal, neonatal, and child health in the  Oromia Region of Ethiopia by increasing access and utilization of  reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health services through  strengthening the capacity and coverage of the Health Extension  Program

OBJECTIVES: Strengthen the capacity of HEWs to deliver quality RMNCH interventions to the Oromia region by 

increasing the percentage of HEWs who meet or exceed service delivery evaluation guidelines by  20% by the end of the project 

Increase the coverage of ANC (4+ visits) for pregnant women (aged 15 ‐ 49 years) in Oromia from  HEWs to 30% by end of project.

Increase the coverage of oral rehydration therapy in Oromia to 50% by the end of the project. Reduce the unmet need for long‐acting and permanent methods of family planning among women 

of reproductive age in the Oromia Region by 20% by the end of the project.  Improve the nutritional status of infants and children in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia by increasing 

the percentage of children receiving appropriate infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF)  by 50% by the end of the project. 

STRATEGIES AND METHODS Objective 1: Strengthen capacity of HEWs • Piloting and implementing improved curriculum for HEWs • Conducting HEW training and refresher trainings  • Supervisory visits to HEWs twice annually Objective 2: Increase antenatal care attendance  • Generating demand for antenatal care from HEWs • Communication campaign on importance of ANC Objective 3: Increase coverage of oral rehydration therapy • Distributing ORS packets  • Education on home treatment of diarrheal disease Objective 4: Reduce unmet need for long‐acting family planning • Establishing referral system for long‐acting methods  Objective 5: Increase exclusive breastfeeding & IYCF among mothers • Using mobile phones as reminder system targeting new mothers • Counseling on exclusive breastfeeding and IYCF