Presentation at the Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference, October 21, 2015
Background: Experts at a WHO technical consultation in 2013 proposed 19 core indicators for reporting on quality of maternal, neonatal and paediatric care in health facilities. Initial reports from countries indicate that not all proposed indicators are currently being reported from health facilities. Faith-based hospitals play a major role in health service delivery in Africa and Asia. In collaboration with a network of faith based hospitals in Africa and Asia, we are currently studying the availability of information and challenges to obtaining information on the 19 WHO indicators of quality of care.
Methods: This study is being conducted in 25 faith based hospitals in Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and 15 faith based hospitals in India. A standardized data collection questionnaire was developed for the study. Data collectors in each facility are oriented through written instructions and teleconferences. Completed data collection sheets will be scanned and returned to Geneva. Clarifications on the data, if required, will be obtained by email and/or telephone. Data will be analyzed centrally and shared with individual hospitals. In addition, a follow up call is planned with each data collector to understand better challenges with data collection.
Results: The study commenced in April 2015 and is expected to be completed by end of May 2015. Results will be available by end of June 2015.
Conclusion: This study will provide information on quality of maternal, neonatal and paediatric care in selected faith based hospitals in Africa and Asia, and to identify gaps in information and challenges of data collection required for global reporting on quality of care. The information will, if required, contribute to further refinement of the list of quality of care indicators.