Service availability and readiness assessment of maternal, newborn and child health services at public health facilities in Madagascar

Abstract

The Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) survey was adapted and used to generate information on service availability and the readiness of maternal, newborn and child health facilities to provide basic health care interventions for obstetric care, neonatal and child health in Madagascar. The survey collected data from fifty-two public health facilities, ranging from university hospitals (CHU), referral district and regional hospitals (CHD/ CHRR) to basic health centres (CSB). For basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) readiness, on average, CHU had nine (71.8%), CHD/CHRR had eight and CSB had six out of the thirteen tracer items. Regarding the availability of the eleven tracer items for comprehensive CEmONC services, on average a CHU had nine ( 80.0%), a CHRR had eight (71.1%) and a CHD that is the only type of hospitals in rural area had three tracer items (30.0%). Tracer item availability results are low, indicating the need to strengthen supplies at basic health centers in order to improve the chances of success of Madagascar’s Roadmap for accelerating the reduction of the maternal and neonatal mortality 2015-2019, and meeting Sustainable Development Goals 3.1 and 3.

Keywords: Madagascar, Maternal and Child health services, Service availability and readiness assessment, Public health facilities