Calidad en Salud (Quality in Health)

The Challenge

Limited access to trained health care workers in rural, mainly indigenous communities in Guatemala’s highlands have contributed to high rates of maternal, newborn, and child mortality and high unmet contraceptive needs. To meet the needs of women and children by delivering quality, client-oriented services in highland communities, the Ministry of Public Health (MSPAS) introduced the Sistema Integral de Atención en Salud (SIAS) to engage non-governmental organizations (NGOs) closer to the community in the delivery of basic health services.

Overview and Objectives

Under two task orders for the Maternal and Child Health Technical Assistance and Support Contract (TASC), URC worked in partnership with the MSPAS and the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS) to expand access to basic health services and improve the health of women and children in the highlands region.

Named Calidad en Salud (Quality in Health), the project provided support for the integration of family planning, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), reproductive health, maternal and child health services programs, and the adoption of healthy behaviors for improved child survival and reproductive health in nine of the country’s 29 health areas. The project also sought to improve the management of maternal and child health programs by the MSPAS and its NGO partners, increase the use of maternal and child health services provided by the IGSS, and spur greater community participation and empowerment.

Under the second task order (Calidad en Salud II), URC continued the same areas of support but added a focus on improving contraceptive security, nutrition interventions for women and children, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, voluntary testing and counseling for HIV, better management of public health programs, and behavior change communication and advocacy.

Achievements

Under two task orders for the Maternal and Child Health Technical Assistance and Support Contract, URC worked in partnership with the MSPAS and the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS) to expand access to basic health services and improve the health of women and children in the highlands region.

Named Calidad en Salud (Quality in Health), the project provided support for the integration of family planning, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), reproductive health, maternal and child health services programs, and the adoption of healthy behaviors for improved child survival and reproductive health in nine of the country’s 29 health areas. The project also sought to improve the management of maternal and child health programs by the MSPAS and its NGO partners, increase the use of maternal and child health services provided by the IGSS, and spur greater community participation and empowerment.

Under the second task order (Calidad en Salud II), URC continued the same areas of support but added a focus on improving contraceptive security, nutrition interventions for women and children, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, voluntary testing and counseling for HIV, better management of public health programs, and behavior change communication and advocacy.