TABLE 3.

Mphatlalatsane Responsive Measures to Meet COVID-19 Challenges in South Africa

COVID-19 Challenges	Responsive Measures
MNH staff: distressed and overworked; redeployed	Shifted focus from QI work to management / HCWs’ immediate needs and offered pandemic response guidance Offered psychological support to HCWs Streamlined procurement of personal protective equipment Made new service delivery algorithms and frameworks available through an existing NDOH digital knowledge hub that addressed COVID-19 challenges
Delivery and uptake of routine MNH services disrupted	Risk matrix 1: offered practical recommendations to higher-level management to mitigate service disruption, e.g., used COVID-19 contact tracing to inform communities that MNH services are available Risk matrix 2: supported facility managers to develop risk mitigation measures within the facility, e.g., reconfigured workspaces to minimize contamination
Essential MNH equipment shortages	Facilitated the procurement and distribution of donated equipment through acceptable mechanisms and coordinated staff training to use it

Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease; HCW, health care workers; MNH, maternal and neonatal health; NDOH, South Africa National Department of Health; QI, quality improvement.