Population Council Research that makes a difference

This project, conducted with the Department of Health, utilized lessons learned about delivering comprehensive maternal care to inform the development of a comprehensive and evidence-based policy for antenatal and postnatal care. Existing guidelines were revised to incorporate attention to current concerns including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, partner involvement in maternal care, syphilis screening, and antiretroviral drugs. The project conducted pre-field tests and pilot implementation of the new guidelines, and provided capacity building to help providers and program managers implement the guidelines.

On 18 August 2009, the KZN Department of Health introduced over 350 provincial midwives and local officials to the new policy and guidelines. The official launch of the guidelines was held in the province’s largely rural, easternmost Umkhanyakude district, which is one of South Africa’s nine priority districts identified by the country's Department of Health. The new KZN policy was officially adopted a year and a half earlier, in February 2008, and was piloted in nine facilities in three priority districts in KwaZulu-Natal, including Umkhanyakude.

KZN’s policy and guidelines were formulated to reinforce national maternity policy with local guidelines and policy that are evidence-based and comprehensive in developing and delivering ANC and PNC. The existing guidelines were revised to incorporate attention to current concerns, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, partner involvement in maternal care, syphilis screening, and antiretroviral drugs. The Council worked with the Department of Health to ensure that systems for implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and support for providers, including job aides and training manuals, were both properly developed and sustainable.

The KZN Department of Health has committed to a provincewide implementation of the new policies and procedures. Trainings will be conducted for staff in clinics—including midwives, community health workers, obstetricians, gynecologists, and programs managers—and for supervisory staff. The Council will assist three more provinces in the adoption and adaptation of KZN’s policies and guidelines. In addition, other provinces have expressed interest in the policies and guidelines.