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IFHP Integrated Family Health Program IFHP Integrated Family Health Program Yebeteseb Mela Volume 9, No. 2, April-September 2013 Holy Synod Declares Commitment for Safe Motherhood ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) disclosed its support and partnership for safe motherhood and reproductive health programs in the country during its annual PHOTO conference on June 5, 2013. The Holy Synod of EOTC expressed its support by passing a ten-point resolution on safe motherhood, reproductive health, and gen- der equity. His Holiness Abune Mathias, the 6th Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, handed over a resolution embalmed with photo frame to His Holiness Abune Mathias and partners Ministry of Women, Youth and Cont. on page 5 USAID High Ranking Officials Visit the Ethiopian Health Extension Program Inside this issue: EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT 2 TECHNICAL UPDATES 4 STORIES FROM THE FIELD 8 Visitors listen to explanation about the family health card at Haro Jila Health Post Honourable guests Mr. Alex Thier, Mission, paid a visit to Haro Jila Fulsa Assistant Administrator of the Policy, Health Post and community in Sebeta Planning and Learning Bureau of Hawase Woreda of Oromia Region. USAID/Washington and Mr. Dennis The visit, which took place on July Weller, USAID/Ethiopia Mission Direc- 27th 2013 aimed at learning about the tor, joined by Dr. Yirga Ambaw, Health Ethiopian government Health Exten- Specialist and CTO at USAID Ethiopia sion Program (HEP) and the contri- Cont. on page 4 EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT Committee Admires Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of IFHP Support in In-service Trainings Fistula and Youth Human resources are the most important assets of a health system. For Friendly Services health institutions to function effectively and efficiently, a well-trained and GONDAR - The Technical Advisory motivated health workforce must be produced, deployed, maintained and Committee (TAC) of IFHP visited appropriately utilized. Developing capable, motivated workers is essential program implementation in Gondar to overcome bottlenecks hindering the achievement of national and global cluster office on April 22-25, 2013. health goals. Welcomed by Dr. Mengistu Asnake, The health policy of Ethiopia emphasizes the training of community-based Chief of Party of IFHP and Country task-oriented frontline and mid-level health workers. In response to the Representative of Pathfinder Inter- policy, health professional training institutions have expanded continuously national-Ethiopia, the committee vis- as have health facilities resulting in improved access to health services. ited beneficiaries in the health sector However, in order to ensure the continuity of quality health services, health as well as community households. professionals need to be continuously updated, refreshed, and introduced During discussions after field visits, to innovation. Capacity building in-service trainings play a great role in this TAC members commended IFHP for regard and represent a significant proportion of investments made by the its integrated approach to promote Ministry of Health and development partners. health, particularly the achieve- ments gained so far in improving The government and implementing partners like IFHP are trying to boost fistula case identification and man- the knowledge, skill, attitude and confidence of frontline and mid-level agement and strengthening youth health professionals working in primary health care units (PHCUs). How- friendly services at health centers. ever, reaping the benefits from in-service trainings that is worth the invest- “IFHP’s principle is strategically well ment has been challenged by many factors. In-service training programs, designed to implementing activities for example, sometimes fail to balance competency development with at the grass roots level,” committee potential disruption to service provision due to staff absenteeism. There members explained and added that are also a number of other aspects of in-service training that dwindle the IFHP’s strategy is sustainable and lays benefits that can be harvested from it. These include among others mis- the corner stone to attain positive placement of staff after training, immediate exit or attrition of staff after impacts in changing the life of com- training, repeated appearance of the same individual in similar trainings, munity members. Dr. Mengistu on unfair recruitment of trainees and favouritism, and limited participation of female health workers with the exception of HEWs. The latter could be his part said, “IFHP’s work has shown partly because the health work force in Ethiopia is predominately male results due to the strong government (AHWO, 2010). structure. IFHP makes every effort to fill gaps in the implementation of key These call for the need to taking steps to maximize the benefit from in-ser- interventions to reduce maternal and vice trainings. For instance, encouraging steps are being taken by the MOH child mortality in the country.” and its partners by providing Integrated Refresher Training (IRT) for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to save the financial and time resources needed The TAC has members from various to do separate refresher trainings. Similarly, providing on the job trainings government sector offices and pro- and service delivery based trainings serve the same purpose. In line with vides technical support and guidance this notion, IFHP has been providing service-based trainings to PHCU staff through field visits and consulta- including HEWs with dual benefits: the health professionals get skill based tive meetings that take place every training, and at the same time, quality services are rendered to the com- quarter. munity under the supervision of the trainer. IFHP has also always been cau- tious in allowing fair participation of women as trainers and trainees. Addressing the issues indicated above in a coordinated and standardized manner by actors working at all levels within the health system is very crucial. Doing so not only helps maximize the benefit of in-service trainings but also directly contributes to the achievement of the health related Mil- lennium Development Goals of the country. Producers and Editorial Committee: Dr. Kidest Lulu Dr. Tesfaye Bulto Dr. Hibret alemu Solomon Abebe Tariku Nigatu Salem Melaku 2 The Third African Immunization Week Commemorated IFHP’s van mobilizing the community for vaccination along side the running race that was part of the commemoration ASELLA - The commemoration of the portance of immunization, broaden level social mobilization and pro- third African Immunization Week the culture of disease prevention vided vaccination to eligible chil- was launched at Asella Town, Arsi and control through vaccination, dren. Consequently, close to 25,000 Zone of Oromia Region, from April and provide vaccination services to children received vaccination against 24 to May 4, 2013, with the theme vulnerable populations. 10 vaccine-preventable diseases. “Vaccinate, Save Life, and Prevent The African Immunization Week is Disabilities!” The initiative, which IFHP, as one of the child survival believed to have strengthened the was launched in the presence of high partners, assisted in organizing the commitment of health managers to- level officials from the Ministry of event at different levels and pro- wards the reduction of child mortal- Health, Oromia Region, zones, and vided technical, financial and logis- ity and provided a unique opportu- woredas as well as distinguished tic support throughout the event. nity for improving local, regional and delegates from WHO-AFRO, UNICEF, Following the official launching, Arsi national immunization coverage. USAID and development partners, Zonal Health Office in collaboration aimed to raise awareness on the im- with IFHP conducted community World Population Day Celebrated ASSOSA- The Population Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in collaboration with IFHP and other partner organizations celebrated the World Population Day in Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. The 2013 the World Population Day was celebrated under the international theme of Focus is on Adolescent Preg- nancy. In connection with the event, IFHP organized a media orien- tation for journalists and facilitated mass walk to increase community awareness in preventing adolescent pregnancy. 3 Technical Updates Strengthening Partnership to Promote Skilled Birth Attendance Film show at night in Afar Region to promote skilled birth attendance Safe Motherhood Campaign is as posters and brochures distributed education about the importance of organized and coordinated by the to health facilities and communi- antenatal care, skilled birth attend- FMOH on a yearly basis to pro- ties. IFHP, in addition to actively ance, and postnatal care. Those who mote skilled birth attendance at participating in the activities of the watched the movie, expressed their health facilities and contribute taskforce, deployed its audio visual interest to learn more about skilled to the reduction of maternal and vans to show the filmed drama pro- birth attendance and pledged to use newborn mortality. IFHP has been duced for community mobilization, the services available in their re- actively participating in the Safe reaching over 76,000 population in spective areas. Woreda and health Motherhood Campaign annually. hard-to reach and pastoralist areas center staff on their part expressed The campaign task force, chaired by of Afar, Somali, Benishangul, Oromia, their dedication to do their
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