Project News

GHS selected 11 districts in Ashanti Region as model districts for the rollout of the MCH Record Books in 2018. Key activities conducted in these model districts with support from the project included training, regular mentoring, coaching, and supportive visits, to 990 health workers in the selected 11 districts. Additionally, the project donated some equipment, such as weighing scales, height/length board, and HB measuring equipment, to the 11 districts to ensure smooth delivery of all the recommended services. The project also supported districts to conduct SBCC activities to promote key MCH and Nutrition messages to the entire community members. All the other regions and districts received MCH RB, training of facilitators, and monitoring and supervision.

On 6th Dec.2021, the project conducted the wrap-up seminar for the 11 focus districts in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. It was one of the last project activities in Ashanti region. The objective was to wrap up the achievement in the 11 districts and to gather good practices and lessons learned in the 11 districts, which may be valuable information for the further rollout of the MCH RB program in other districts, regions, and countries. Regional Director and the Chief Advisor of the project awarded certificate to the district teams and some facilitators. The total number of participants was 89. District Health Team of 11 focus districts and 3 control districts, Regional Health Team of Ashanti Region, JICA experts and project's National staff participated in the workshop.

Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, Regional Director of Health of Ashanti Region, congratulated all his staff for their achievements at his opening remarks. Dr. Tinkorang thanked JICA for the intensive inputs to the region. He encouraged district health teams to sustain the good practices and maintain the showcase so that the other regional and foreign parties would visit them to learn from Ashanti's experiences.

Dr. Rockson Michael Adjei, Deputy Director of Public Health, Ashanti Region, also thanked JICA for working with Ashanti Region. He indicated that nutrition counseling with the MCHRB was an effective measure for solving malnutrition among women and children in the region.

Dr. Akiko Hagiwara, Chief Advisor of the project, presented the project achievements in national rollout as well as in 11 focus districts in Ashanti Region and congratulated 11 district teams for their significant achievements in almost all the project indicators. Dr. Akiko also briefed some results of the baseline and end-line survey. While the control districts started with better indicators at baseline, the intervention districts caught up with their improvement and achieved even higher with some indicators. Dr. Akiko congratulated both intervention and control districts with their efforts and contributions to quality MCH and Nutrition services to all women and children.

Ms. Olivia Timpo, Regional Nutrition Officer, presented on the major activities conducted in 11 districts and reviewed achievements and lessons learned.

Health management teams of 5 districts presented their achievement and good practices.

The capacity building of health workers on the MCH RB has led to the improvement of quality delivery of services, especially Nutrition counseling and respectful care. Planning and implementation of SBCC activities were an opportunity to promote better relationships and dialogue between the health facilities and communities, between health facilities and TBA. As a result, they observed positive changes, such as an increase in ANC, Delivery at health facility, PNC, decrease of anemia among pregnancy, increase of children whose weight and length/height measured and recorded properly in the MCH RB. They also reported that traditional leaders and opinion leaders in the communities also appreciated the importance of COC and committed to supporting all mothers and children to receive MCH RB and COC services at health facilities.

Dr. Tinkorang and Dr. Akiko presented the certificate as an award for the hard-working districts and facilitators. All 14 districts teams expressed their gratitude to JICA and Regional Health Directorate for their support and promised that they keep up their activities with available resources and commitment.

We hope that the Ashanti Regional Health Director and other stakeholders will continue to work together to improve maternal and child health care in the region, and that the experience of the 11 districts will spread throughout the country.

Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, Regional Director of Health of Ashanti Region, congratulated all his staff for their achievements at his opening remarks.

Ms. MARIAM AMIDU, District Nutrition Officer, presenting the achievement in AMANSIE WEST DISTRICT

Participants at the seminar

Director of Health, ATWIMA KWANWOMA DISTRICT, Ms. Comfort Suglo, receives her certificate

Ms. Olivia Timpo, Regional Nutrition Officer, receives her certificate

All participants at the seminar