PROSAMI – Maternal and Child Health Project in Léogane and Gressier, Haiti

Result 1110 – Achieved. The three BEONS are operational and supported by the project. The institutions’ capacities to provide basic emergency obstetric and neonatal services (BEONS) has been greatly strengthened in terms of the structure, the availability of inputs, the improved physical environment, the strengthened technical expertise and the staff’s local technical support. The presentation of the outputs makes it possible to appreciate the activities’ progress, and especially explain the support strategy choices that will be made in Year 4.

Result 1120 – Achieved. The decision to establish the CEONS at the MCC in Léogâne required updating the environmental assessment of the new site selected. It was in summer 2018 that our environmental expert conducted the study that confirmed the project’s feasibility.

At the same time, many steps were taken with the aim of establishing a suitable construction concept for converting the BEONS in Léogâne into a CEONS. All partners were mobilized in that operation (CHU, WHD, DOSS) in collaboration with the professional teams of the Delegated Prime and the PROSAMI. A number of technical consultation meetings were needed for meeting the MSPP’s requirements. Joint visits among the players were conducted with the aim of deciding on certain implementation modalities before the work started. The last two quarters of Year 3 were devoted to the preliminary technical analyses and studies. In late 2018, the complete architecture and structure package was submitted to the DOSS for approval.

According to the timetable submitted by the Delegated Prime, calls for tenders will be launched early in Year 4 for construction of the operating unit, and contracts will be awarded in March 2019. The work will take place from April to September, with tentative acceptance in December 2019. At the same time, the HRs required for delivering the CEONS services will be recruited and hired. The unit will be outfitted with the equipment and materials needed for running it. It will become operational starting December 2019.

Result 1210 – Achieved. In terms of governance, in Year 4, the project will continue to support the coordination office of the Communal Health Unit (CHU) in carrying out its mission of coordinating and supervising the health interventions in both communes. That coordination and supervision effort will make it possible to bring the players closer together and harmonize the MNCH practices for more effective action. That support will align with the vision of the National Health Policy, the Master Plan and the interim Reproductive and Sexual Health Plan. It will basically involve the “essential package of services” to be provided to mothers, newborns and children in keeping with the MSPP’s norms and standards. As planned since the start of the project, in order to achieve this result, consistent with the CHU’s operations, support is given to five main areas of intervention:

1. Strengthening the health information system, incorporating gender-specific data and factoring in environmental aspects;
2. Strengthening the regular practice of planning and supervising the curative and preventive activities, taking GE principles and environmental protection into account;
3. Strengthening the mechanisms for consultation and coordination among the main MNCH players in both communes;
4. Implementing an operational and effective referral system in both communes;
5. Strengthening the CHU coordination office in Léogâne.

Result 1220 – Achieved. Implementing the community strategy advocated by PROSAMI is intended to increase women’s and children’s access to preventative MNCH services that are environmentally responsible and tailored to their specific needs. For achieving this result, five strategic areas were chosen for the community component, at the start of the project:

1. Strengthening the providers’ skills for quality IMCI and RS services;
2. Training the VCHWs for local services reaching the largest number of people who are part of the project’s target groups;
3. Implementing community-based prevention interventions, including house calls and assembly stations;
4. Strengthening the CHCs in terms of improving the offering of MNCH-related services;
5. Strengthening the women’s and matrons’ organizations for raising women’s and girls’ awareness of MNCH and the
issues pertaining to the health care environment.

Result 1310: Achieved The Public Engagement Strategy aims to inform, raise the awareness of and engage the targeted audiences in Canada regarding the MNCH situation and issues in Haiti. A set of activities are carried out with the aim of addressing the project’s merits, objectives, challenges, outcomes, and lessons learned. Canadians will be encouraged to show greater solidarity with the efforts of Mission Inclusion (formerly the LÉGER FOUNDATION), its partner the CCISD, and Global Affairs Canada’s contribution for improving MNCH in Haiti.” Effect”:”Result 1110. Strengthened capacity of four health facilities to deliver gender-sensitive basic emergency obstetric and neonatal services (BEONS) that are environmentally responsible and in keeping with MSPP standards.

Result 1120. Strengthened capacity of a hospital for delivering comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal services (CEONS) that are gender-sensitive, environmentally responsible, and in keeping with MSPP standards.

Result 1210. Strengthened capacity of the coordination office of the Communal Health Unit (CHU) to play its role in developing MNCH by incorporating gender-equality and environmental issues.

Result 1220. Increased access by the targeted population to environmentally responsible preventative MNCH services geared to the specific needs of women and girls.

Result 1310. Greater understanding among Canadians regarding issues pertaining to maternal, newborn and child health.