Project profile — Access to Quality Care Through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved delivery of essential health services to mothers, pregnant women, newborns and children under five years of age; (2) improved utilization of essential health services by mothers, pregnant women, newborns and children under five years of age; (3) improved dissemination and use of MNCH evidence and information by decision-makers in the target regions; and (4) increased awareness of MNCH issues among Canadians.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (December 2020) include: (1) 1.7 million direct beneficiaries, exceeding a target of 1.3 million. This includes women of reproductive age, girls and boys under age five, and young men over the age of 15. As well, health personnel, health volunteers, community leaders, and a wide range of stakeholders supporting improved health outcomes for targeted populations. The project also reached an estimated 885,168 indirect beneficiaries; (2) construction and renovations of 66 health facilities in project countries improved water, sanitation and infection prevention and control infrastructure; (3) in Kenya, the project supported the devolved government health care system. It established and strengthened 27 Community Units, trained and mentored 580 (of which 357 women) Community Health Volunteers and Community Health Committee members; (4) in Mali, the project supported the government’s decentralized social services policy by training Associations de Santé Communautaire, Comités de Santé and local government officials with planning and budgeting for gender-responsive reproductive, maternal and newborn child health needs at the community level; (5) in Pakistan, the project worked through local support and women’s organizations to ensure local relevance. Also, capacity building at both Aga Khan Health Service and the Department of Health Facilities ensured a comprehensive system strengthening approach nationwide, reflective of the health system in northern Pakistan; (6) in Mozambique, the project supported the delivery of the Ministry of Health strategy for Cabo Delgado by working in direct partnership with the Provincial Health Department to deliver outreach clinics and national campaigns, strengthen the institutional capacity of the Pemba Nursing School and support the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Reproductive Maternal, Newborn and Child Health at Metuge-Sede Health Centre; (7) sustainability of the project results is through Aga Khan Development Network’s ongoing presence and collaborative partnerships with the ministries of health and local organizations. For example, local governments have committed to adopt maintenance costs for infrastructure and eHealth improvements. In Mali and Kenya, regional/county health budgets have incorporated fees for internet connectivity and other costs related to eHealth. System strengthening approaches such as instituting protocols for quality improvement cycles or gender-responsive service delivery audits further strengthen the likelihood that results would endure beyond the life of the project; and (8) the project engaged Canadians with videos on reproductive maternal newborn and child health and gender equality. Published five related articles on AKFC.ca, reaching 3,234 people. Presented a digital exhibit, including two online workshops on gender equality, the pandemic, health and gender equality. Used Facebook and Twitter to present the project and COVID-19 content.