Case study: Improving Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Background Over the past two decades, health system has become increasingly vulnerable due to the economic difficulties faced by the country. This has led to a general rundown of infrastructure and especially shortages of essential medicines and other supplies. Many years of compounded mismanagement and funding deficits have led to a seriously debilitated health system, and consequently the health and nutrition status of women and children in DPR Korea.
How did the project address this gap? The MCH project initiated in 2006 has been implemented for last 5 years. The project made substantial achievement in addressing the health needs of the women and children in the 10 provinces of the DPR Korea. The aim of the project was to improve the health of women and children through better access to health services at the community level, better training of the health service providers, and upgrading the health facilities focusing at the county level (secondary level). The components of the project are: (1) providing the training packages of EMOC, ENC, IMCI to the county and Ri level paediatricians, ob/gyn doctors and household doctors and health management to the county health managers, abroad fellowship programs on the broad scopes of MCH areas,
(2)
(3)
Every year project supports physical upgrading of 30 county hospitals (operation theatre + delivery rooms, blood section, laboratory & emergency section), 400 Ri hospitals, 2 provincial pediatric hospitals and maternity hospitals, (as well as providing the relevant hospital kits), supporting the management of warehouses, and rational medical
(4)
(5)
supporting health information management programs.
The MCH project has produced measurable change in many of the health facilities and is a good model for donor-financing projects addressing emergency and mid-term health needs.
How did this help the health workers? “After getting the WHO fellowship programme on paediatric surgery, my skills have improved, and success rates also are higher”. “I am pleased that I am up to WHO and international standards in diagnosing and treating the ob/gyn complications, and I look forward to continued refresher training. I can even train the other ob/gyn doctors now”.