Table 1.

Key MNH program interventions implemented in the West Nile region, Uganda

Interventions for strengthening capacities of districts to plan, implement and monitor high quality and equity-focused interventions for MNH
	• Training of district health teams and health subdistricts in the use of bottleneck analysis (BNA) for planning for health services • Establishment and training of maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) committees in the districts • Functionalization of the integrated human resource information system (iHRIS) to support human resource planning • Conducting quarterly performance reviews using the bottle neck analysis and scorecard methodologies • Conducting annual district health system strengthening capacity assessments and client satisfaction surveys using the Progression and ServQual models, respectively
Interventions for enhancing capacity of health facilities to provide a full range of essential MNCH and nutrition services
	• Functionalization of the health unit management committees (HUMCs) at all health facilities • Procurement and distribution of basic MNH medicines, supplies and equipment to health facilities with critical needs • Repair of selected (model) maternity units in health facilities and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)/special newborn care units in hospitals across the districts • Water and sanitation improvements (establishment of piped water systems, construction of sanitation facilities and bathrooms, at selected health units) • Training and onsite mentorships of health workers in key MNH areas including antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC), comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC), essential newborn care, key family care practices (KFCPs), kangaroo mother care (KMC) and the use of BABIES matrix • Establishing a referral ambulance system for high-risk pregnant women and newborns
Interventions for increasing community awareness, demand and utilization of MNH services
	• Establishment of expert mother groups in the communities across all districts • Training of community health workers (CHWs) on KFCPs and supporting them to deliver on their mandate • Integrated community outreaches for MNH services in hard-to-reach areas • Establishment of a community boda boda (motorcycle taxis) referral system for pregnant mothers and children in hard-to-reach communities • Implementation of FamilyConnect, a digital health solution for increasing uptake of maternal and child health services • Community dialogue meetings on key MNH services including ANC, delivery and PNC

In this paper, we describe the use of the Progression and ServQual models to monitor changes in health system capacity and the quality of health services in the West Nile region of Uganda, respectively