Table 3 Existing initiatives within Maternal, Child, Women and Youth Health and Nutrition programmes in South Africa

Operation Sukuma Sakhe (KwaZulu Natal province)

Aims to integrate and coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders to improve the lives of communities

The desired outcome of the service delivery model is the implementation of a comprehensive, efficient, effective, quality service delivery system that contributes to a self-reliant society in a sustainable manner

Priorities:

–Rural development/agrarian reform and food security

–Creating decent work and economic growth

–Fighting crime

–Education

–Health

Ward-based approach, prioritizing vulnerable households

Step 1

–Community caregivers (CCGs) visit a set number of households where a key informant (particularly the household head) provides information on individuals, household and community needs

–The household profiling tool is completed by the CCGs and the baseline is identified

–Youth ambassadors (YAs) meet with youth at households, schools, churches, clubs, etc., to jointly identify needs and challenges of youth

Step 2

–CCGs and YAs take the baseline information to the war room each week

–War room members assess the needs, and priority (immediate) needs are identified

–YAs work with youth to address the needs and challenges of youth

Step 3

–War room discusses the needs and submits information to referral focal point person in each department for action

–Weekly baseline data are consolidated and submitted to the local task team and to the relevant departments for action

–Departments provide services via the war room

–CCGs provide feedback to households

–At ward level, solutions are discussed with government and other partners to embrace youth programmes

–YAs provide feedback to youth

Child Healthcare Problem Identification Programme (ChiP/Child PIP)

Mortality audit tool designed specifically for infants and children (from birth up to 18 years)

The Child PIP programme aims to use the information gathered from careful mortality review to improve the quality of care sick children receive in the health system

1. 24-h review

Every death summarized within 24 h by the on-duty intern/medical officer or registrar to obtain all necessary information

2. Preparatory meeting

Before mortality review meeting, attended by doctor and nurse in charge of ward, to conduct a detailed analysis of all deaths, select cases for presentation and compile monthly statistics

3. Mortality meeting

Held weekly to monthly. Attended by the whole paediatric team including PHC clinic staff, to present statistics and cases in order to identify, assign and review tasks

4. Epidemiology and analysis

Quarterly, six-monthly and annually. Attended by managers and clinical personnel for broader problem identification