MCSP has worked to improve the care provided for mothers and their newborns during antenatal care, labor and delivery, postnatal care, child health, immunization, and family planning services through quality of care (QoC) and quality improvement (QI) programs. While many QoC/QI training and implementation tools are available, many do not describe the critical conditions necessary […]
Archives: Resources
Comprehensive Breastfeeding Support and Feeding of Small and Sick Newborns in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Programmatic Considerations
This brief provides policy makers and program implementers with a summary of the rationale and implementation considerations for strengthening targeted efforts to promote breast milk feeding for small and sick newborns (SSNBs) in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). […]
Strengthening the Coordination of Care and Referral Systems for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health
Recognizing the continued challenges in strengthening RMNCAH care coordination at the country level, MCSP improved the coordination of services to increase coverage of high-impact RMNCAH interventions as well as access to emergency care needed to prevent maternal, newborn, and child deaths. MCSP defines care coordination as a “proactive approach to bringing together care providers to […]
Addressing Inequities in the Coverage of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Interventions and Services: Strengthening Programmatic Approaches to Reach Underserved Women and Children
Recognizing the persistent challenges in reducing inequities in RMNCH service coverage, MCSP promoted equitable access to high-quality health care services and interventions for women, newborns, and children, and has used data to adapt programmatic approaches to address and learn from persistent equity challenges. This brief summarizes MCSP’s approach to addressing inequities, highlights key programmatic achievements, […]
Ghana Early Childhood Development: Learning Report
The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) Ghana Early Childhood Development (ECD) 0–3 program aimed to promote psychosocial stimulation and responsive parenting at the community level via frontline health workers to increase caregiver knowledge and practice of psychosocial stimulation activities. The program integrated early learning and responsive caregiving activities into existing health and nutrition activities […]
Critical principles from USAID’s flagship Maternal and Child Survival Program to help countries on their journey to self-reliance
From 2014 to 2019, USAID’s flagship Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) partnered with 32 countries to improve health outcomes for women and children and build more resilient, accountable, and responsive health systems. Through the generous support of the American people, MCSP built the capacity of country-led institutions to address health challenges. As a result, […]
Exploring the Adaptation of the RED/REC Approach to Other RMNCH Areas in Haiti, Kenya, and Uganda
Reaching Every District/Reaching Every Community/Reaching Every Child (RED/REC) has proven effective for improving immunization coverage and reaching eligible populations, and there is potential to use these same strategies to strengthen other reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) areas. In recognition of this potential, MCSP country programs in Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique supported the […]
Enhancing Ownership of the Strategic Health Development Plan II in Ebonyi, Nigeria: Critical Steps in Policy Development
In Nigeria, the 2010-2015 Ebonyi State Strategic Health Development Plan (SSHDP I) was the state’s first-ever integrated health plan. As SSHDP I came to a close, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health (SMOH) reached out to partners including MCSP to support the development of SSHDP II (2018-2022). Given the state’s limited success under SSHDP I, […]
Testing Routine Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Indicators on Quality of Care: Results from Madagascar and Nigeria
This brief presents findings from assessments of WHO-recommended routine RMNCH indicators in Madagascar and Nigeria. The aims of the two assessments were to determine the acceptability, relevance and usefulness, and feasibility of the indicators for quality improvement efforts. The assessments also looked into integrating the RMNCH indicators into the national HMIS. […]
Our First Baby: Engaging First-Time Mothers and Their Partners in Mozambique
In Mozambique, MCSP worked to build on the global evidence and experience by adapting My First Baby, a workbook for young mothers in Nepal. Recognizing the importance of male partners in health-seeking behaviors and household well-being of first-time mothers in Mozambique, MCSP brought a strong gender lens to the design and introduced content on gender […]