USAID/Afghanistan
The USAID-funded Health Services Support Project and the Afghan Ministry of Public Health hosted a ceremony to recognize health facilities that have met high-quality standards
The USAID-funded Health Services Support Project and the Afghan Ministry of Public Health hosted a ceremony today to recognize 37 health facilities from 11 provinces that have met high-quality standards. USAID has worked closely with the Ministry to build the capacity of non-governmental organizations to improve the quality of health care services at these facilities.
One of the approaches that USAID uses to accomplish this goal is quality assurance used to improve the performance of individual health providers and health facilities implementing the basic package of health services. The quality assurance process consists of four steps: setting standards, implementing standards, measuring progress, and rewarding achievement. This recognition ceremony marks the fourth step in the process.
Dr Nadira Hayat Burhani, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Public Health said it was critical to have a good relationship and strong coordination with donors so that they can assist the Ministry with these programs. It also helps the Ministry not be dependent solely on USAID assistance.
Since 2006, 442 health facilities in 21 provinces throughout Afghanistan have begun implementing the quality assurance process. This is the second national quality assurance recognition ceremony. Out of 90 health facilities that completed a full quality assurance cycle and were eligible for consideration for recognition, 37 were recognized for their improved and high performance. The 37 health facilities recognized today are from Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Bamyan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Kabul, Paktya, Kandahar, Khost, and Hirat provinces.
“USAID is a key partner with the Ministry of Public Health working to ensure that these health facilities meet and exceed international quality standards of care, and we work closely with the Ministry to expand these quality efforts across the country,” said USAID Office Director for Social Sector Development Leslie Perry. “USAID is committed to continuing to work with the Ministry to improve the health of Afghans.”
Standards for service provision have been developed for Afghanistan in 14 different areas such as antenatal care, postnatal care, normal labor, family planning, integrated management of childhood illness, newborn care, tuberculosis prevention and treatment, infection prevention, and gender communication/empowerment. Health workers use the standards as job aids, and supervisors use them when conducting supportive supervision. Quality assurance is an ongoing process, reflecting the vital concept that achievement of high-quality performance and service delivery should be a continuous endeavor.