Iniciativa para fortalecer la atención materna e infantil en un grupo de municipios en Colombia

Abstract

Objective: To present the results of a joint initiative to improve the quality of maternal and infant healthcare in 36 Colombian townships. Methodology: The main results of a Public Health Care initiative implemented in 36 townships from 2012 to 2015 are included. The focus was systemic and included four components: 1) elaboration and continuous monitoring of health care quality improvement plans for maternal and child health services based on local needs, including municipal and provincial actors, 2) indirect evaluation of service quality reviewing clinical records, 3) training, technical assistance and monitoring, and 4) a regular feedback of results to Healthcare System institutions. Results: This initiative motivated the improvement of the mother-child binomial healthcare in the townships that participated in the study, and possibly had an effect on decreasing maternal mortality ratios in various territories. Successful events and problems are documented regarding participating institutions’ healthcare service management. Discussion: Despite the territorial differences and the multiple internal and external factors that affect service quality, the proposed approach can be implemented in territories with different settings. Changes, positive in most territories, evidence that the success and sustainability of actions are possible even in complex settings. However, it is necessary to implement judiciously the methodology proposed in the study and be creative to formulate local solutions.