Weekly Progress Report May 24-29, 2014 With more than 500women in attendance, PHCPI supported 17 outreach activities for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Baghdad and Maysan PHCPI continues to Train Health Care Providers on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Training the Northern Region on the Revised Model Clinics Assessment Tool Hygiene Kits are being distributed among the IDPs in Maysan
Awareness Session for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Baghdad and Maysan During this week, 17 outreach training activities were held to raise Awareness of Health Requirements for IDPs in Baghdad and Maysan. A group of 51 health volunteers representing civil society organizations (e.g., Muslim Aid and Mercy Hands) undertook these trainings in coordination with PHCPI advisors and coordinators. The 10 Maysan sessions were delivered in the Al-Rahma and Al-Mostafa IDP compounds, respectively, with more than 500 women in attendance. Sessions provided information on Maternal and Child Health, Personal Hygiene, and Protection from Poliomyelitis. At the end of each event, hygiene kits were distributed to the participants in order to encourage the incorporation of healthy habits into their daily lifestyles. Training the Northern Region on the Revised Model Clinics Assessment Tool A two-day training workshop was conducted for the model clinics assessment team in Erbil from May 28-29. The purpose of this event was to bring together the assessment team, representatives from the northern region, and PHCPI model clinic staff to discuss the upcoming assessment for the model clinics in this region. The workshop provided an overview of the revised model clinics assessment tool, the scoring methodology, and the upcoming assessment schedule for the northern region clinics in the upcoming month. Refresher Courses on Breast and Cervical Cancer Guidelines On May 27-29, PHCPI conducted four refresher on-the-job training courses covering the updated breast and cervical cancer guidelines. The courses were held at three Directorates of Health (DoHs) - including Baghdad/Karkh, Karbala and Diyala and were facilitated by the MoH. These sessions attracted 44 participants, including medical and paramedical staff working within the early cancer diagnosis units. The training courses covered the key subjects of the guidelines including: early detection and screening for breast cancer; management of specific breast symptoms and Awareness of Health Requirements for IDPs in Maysan left Distribution of Hygyne Kits for the IDPs from Al-Raqjaa Compound 2 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
signs; prognosis of breast cancer; treatment of breast cancer; prevention of breast cancer; means of early detection of premalignant lesions; and management of cervical lesions and cervical cancer prevention. At the end of these courses, participants were able to understand the updated cervical breast cancer screening guidelines, and information was provided on early breast cancer detection, breast cancer treatments, early detection of premalignant lesions, and the prevention of cervical cancer. Wasit DoH Polio Campaign The PHCPI Wasit PHC service coordinator visited the DoH and met Dr. Ali Sadiq, DoH vaccination program director; and Dr. Kareem Safar, DoH health promotion director to discuss the upcoming national polio vaccination campaign in the province. The campaign will begin on June 15 last for five days - with the welcome participation of the LHCs - and is structured to take into consideration the demographics of both local inhabitants and displaced persons. The outreach will consist of both stationary and mobile health teams and will target the following number of children under the age of five: Wasit Province 221,533 children; Al-Kut 2nd District 45,414; Al-Numania 27,691; Al-Hawraa 2603; and Al-Jihad 3143. The Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine that will be used in this campaign is manufactured by both Sanofi Pasteur and GSK in full compliance with international standards. Informational materials announcing the campaign have been distributed to the local population in coordination with local religious and civil society organizations. Refresher Training on Antenatal Care (ANC) Guidelines PHCPI conducted four refresher on-the-job training courses on the updated Antenatal Care (ANC) guidelines. The courses were held by seven MoH facilitators trained by PHCPI in Karbala, Wasit, and Ninawa. A total of 49 PHCC staff members attended the courses including doctors, medical assistants, and nurses. Subjects covered by the training courses included the schedule of ANC visits and procedures to be followed in each visit, including required screening tests and potential medical complications during pregnancy. Vaccine and Cold Chain Management A three-day workshop to discuss vaccination and cold-chain management for PHCCs in the southern region took place from May 27-29 at the Maysan DoH for health care workers from the MoH- EPI program Forty-five participants representing the provinces of Maysan, Basra, Dhi-Qar, Muthanna, Najaf, and Diwaniyah attended this training. Polio Campaign Poster at Al-Hawraa PHCC in Wasit 3 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
Using the new EPI guidelines, participants were given updates on vaccine methodology and dosage, cold-chain management, and how to organize outreach activities. PHCPI continues to Train Health Care Providers on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) PHCPI conducted three rollout training courses on the TBA Guidelines for PHCC health care providers from May 25-29. Six MoH facilitators led the training for a group of 57 participants representing DoHs in Muthanna, Najaf, and Salah ad Din. The facilitators trained health care providers in the targeted PHC centers on TBA Guidelines and provided them with TBA kits. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) IMCI for Physicians The PHCPI held three refresher training courses on the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) for physicians working at the PHC centers in Baghdad during the period May 27-29. A total of 23 PHC doctors attended this workshop representing Baghdad DoHs in Karkh and Rusafa. The training concentrated on management of pneumonia and diarrhea, preventive measures of childhood illnesses through vaccination, and best practices in nutrition. A special focus was given to the importance of promoting exclusive breastfeeding and proper weaning practices, along with ways to encourage parents to seek early medical assistance when their children are sick. The courses also stressed the importance of community health care workers. IMCI for Nurses MoH facilitators led four refresher training sessions on guidelines for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) for nurses and paramedics working at the PHC centers. The courses were attended by 28 participants from the Wasit, Baghdad Karkh, and Rusafa DoHs. The courses covered classification of childhood illnesses, effective staff communication, management of diarrhea and respiratory tract diseases in children, nutrition and development, immunizations, and the role of nursing staff in the management of childhood illnesses. Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (EMONC) PHCP conducted an on-the-job training course covering the updated guidelines for EMONC from May 28-29. The course was facilitated by the MoH for delivery room staff from the Mulla Afandi PHCC in Erbil. The training was attended by 10 female participants, including gynecologists, pediatricians, family medicine, and community medicine doctors Vaccine and Cold Chain Management Workshop in Maysan 4 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
who work in the delivery room. The participants were trained on the use of the partograph, the importance of assessing the progress of labor, maternal and fetal health and how to record it, and infection prevention measures to be followed in delivery rooms. Statement of Patient s Rights PHCPI Coordinators and MoH facilitators conducted four on-the-job training courses on the Statement of Patient s Rights in Dhi-Qar, Najaf and Duhok from May 26-29. The courses were attended by more than 70 clinic staff from PHCCs, plus representatives from the Media, Health Promotion and Quality Improvement sections. The courses explained the importance and content of the Statement of Patients Rights and how best to engage local community organizations to promote important health messages to the public. The training also included a discussion on the balance between patients rights and responsibilities as represented in the statement. Behavior Change Communication (BCC) Orientation Sessions for Local Health Committees (LHCs) and Health Volunteers (HVs) During this week, 13 BCC orientation sessions for LHCs and health volunteers (HVs) were held for more than 250 participants, including members from LHCs and NGOs. DoHs from Baghdad/ Rusafa, Diwaniyah, Kirkuk, Maysan, and Najaf were represented in these sessions. The primary purpose of these sessions was to orient the LHCs on how best to distribute informational materials on child and maternal health, the importance of MDGs 4 and 5, and communication strategies to increase community health awareness. Orientation meetings regarding the BCC campaign Two meetings, attended by 46 participants, were held in Sulaimaniyah at the Sarwery and Bakrajo PHCCs to discuss the BCC campaign. As a result, it was agreed that monthly meetings would be held with PHCC directors to coordinate campaign activities to ensure local community involvement. On-job training course on the Statement of Patient s Rights in Dhi-Qar left LHCs, health voulnteers, religious leaders, and community members in a BCC orientation meeting at Bakrajo PHCC in Sulaymaniyah 5 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
Women s Health Awareness Meeting On May 28, a meeting was held for 15 NGOs and LHCs representing Baghdad Karkh. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness about issues affecting women s health, ANC, and maternal mortality utilizing IEC materials produced by PHCPI. The NGOs and LHCs members present agreed to conduct orientation sessions inside the catchment areas of their respective Model Clinics. Central Region Karbala After completing the joint-assessment process of the Al-Mulhaq and Al-Ghadeer Model Clinics, clinic personnel started the next steps in addressing any identified deficiencies. In order to facilitate this important process, the model clinic coordinator met with the director of Al-Markaz District and received his support to do whatever is necessary to address these shortcomings. Babil The model clinic coordinator visited Al-Nader and Al-Baqer Model Clinics and thanked the directors for the exemplary work of the clinic staff. In turn, the directors stated that they witnessed significant changes to the quality of health care provided in their clinics and thanked USAID/PHCPI. Diyala The model clinic coordinator visited Iraqi MoH together with the central regional director and met with the Director of the Quality Management Section explain the last assessment result. During this meeting, corrections to the Diyala model clinic assessments were also made (due to an earlier mistake in calculating points). The updated score of Al-Zahraa is now 74; and Al- Wajehia 79.5. The model clinic coordinator visited the Al- Muqdadia District Director and discussed the results of the last model clinic assessment and recommended next steps. The director agreed that the staff of both model clinics needed more training and supervision from the Al-Muqdadia District, especially in maternal and child care, and records management. The model clinic coordinator agreed to provide more training in On-Job training on Antenatal Care (ANC) in Karbala left Al-Baqer model clinic in Babil 6 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
these areas. The model clinic coordinator visited Al-Zahraa Model Clinic and met with the director about the last assessment, final score and next steps. The director requested PHCPI to provide additional training on records management, infections waste disposal, QI and local health committees, and IMCI. The PHCPI Coordinator met with the PHCC section manager and MoH coordinator to discuss upcoming events, in particular the need for additional patients rights training courses in the province to reach more PHCC and community stakeholders. The importance of an upcoming training course for TBAs and maternal care physicians in the catchment area was also discussed. The PHCPI Coordinator met the PHD Manager to discuss the results of the model clinic assessments, with a particular focus on ways to improve the work of PHCC and clinic staff in identifying and addressing deficiencies following model clinic standards. The PHD Manager also discussed on-going communication with community partners in the media, NGOs and LHCs related to the distribution of information on patients rights, including outreach to rural communities. The PHCPI Coordinator met the Al-Muqdadia District PHCC unit team to discuss the outcome of recent assessment visits and the importance of maintaining close coordination between the QI teams in the PHCCs and management in order to improve the overall quality of health services. Wasit The Model Clinic Coordinator visited the Al-Jihad Model Clinic with a special committee from the Al-Kut Althany district to discuss the recent MoH assessment, overall needs of the clinic, and necessary next steps before the next assessment in three weeks. the next steps in determine the needs of the clinic depending on the assessment of the MOH and determine the way of supplying and development of the clinic that is expected to finish after 3 weeks according to the plan that we will working based on it. The Model Clinic Coordinator visited Al-Hawraa model clinic with a special committee from Al-Kut Althany district and met with the manager to discuss the recent MoH assessment and the ongoing preparations for the next MoH assessment in three weeks. North Region Erbil On May 27, a meeting was held in the Erbil PHCPI office with USAID. Attendees included the Erbil Regional Director, PHCPI BCC Advisor, Communication Advisor, and USAID Medical Records System Workshop in Duhok 7 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
Representative Dr. Eric Milstrey and his assistant Dilshad Abubakir. USAID was briefed on the status of the Kurdish translation of the training guidelines, as well as the on-going campaign with LHCs and CSOs to promote health messages to the public. The Kurdish training guidelines will be ready for distribution in the next three weeks. A workshop covering the Health Volunteers curriculum was conducted on May 26-27 to train HC members on best practices in recruiting volunteers to deliver health messages covering MGSs 4 and 5. There were 14 participants (four female + ten male). An additional workshop covering the Health Volunteers curriculum was conducted on May 28-29 for 24 participants. Salah ad Din On May 24-26, two field visits were conducted to Ebn Sena and Alrazi Model Clinics to conduct a PHCC assessment. Duhok A workshop on Medical Records Systems (MRS) was conducted on May 25 in Duhok to improve maternal death monitoring. The training was attended by 23 participants and the main subjects discussed were: the difference between health records and medical records; the transition to computerized medical records; and how medical records are used. Field visits were conducted to Msrekey Municipality and Ashti PHCs on May 25 to familiarize the assessment team with the catchment area. South Region Basrah On May 27, representatives from USAID in the South Region (Nida Mickus and Adel Al-Osami) conducted visits to two PHC centers (Al-Kawthar and 14 Tamooz) and a district office. Briefings were given on the overall state of public health in this area, and the main challenges and necessary steps needed to improve the quality of services. Najaf Preparatory meeting for MCs ceremonies in Najaf: On May 24, a meeting was chaired by the DG of the Najif Office, with participation from the Public Health Department, MoH Coordinator, Director of PHCCs Division, Director of the Emam Al-Jawad MC, and the Director of the Media Health section. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss logistics for the upcoming June 9 graduation ceremonies for the Al-Askary and Emam Al-Jawad Model Clinics, respectively. In addition, it was announced that two additional PHCPI-supported clinics (Al-Jamea and Emam Al-Hasan PHCCs) would be upgraded to the Preparatory meeting for MCs ceremonies in Najaf with the Najaf DG Dr. Ali Abdul Zahraa Shoubar 8 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)
status of model clinics before the end of year 2014. Using PHCPI guidelines for undergraduates in Kufa University: On May 25-26, a two-day joint workshop for university teachers and DoH senior staff was conducted with a second visit to Al-Jamea PHC Center. There were 20 participants (ten from faculties of Medicine, Nursing, and Technical Medicine & Health Sciences, plus ten from DoH). The aim of this workshop was to share perspectives about the quality of PHC services and to identify barriers that might have negative impacts on service delivery. VIP participants included the Deans of Faculties of Nursing, and Technical Medical & Health Sciences; and the Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Medicine. Other participants included high-level university teaching staff and the directors of PHCPI-targeted districts. At the end of the workshop, it was agreed that the health status of the pregnant population utilizing the Al- Jamea, Emam Al- Hasan, and Al-Salam PHCCs would be more closely monitored by the university s medical faculties (i.e., Medicine, Nursing, and Technical Medical & Health Sciences). Project Staffing Below is a summary of the project s current staffing: Personnel Count May 24 through May 29, 2014 Expatriate Personnel Male Female Sub Total Baghdad 6 1 7 Sub Total 6 1 7 CCN Personnel Male Female Sub Total Baghdad 44 22 66 Regions 48 09 57 Sub Total 92 31 123 Total 130 9 USAID/Primary Health Care Project in Iraq (PHCPI) - Weekly Report (May 24-29, 2014)