Assessing Implementation of the National Standards and Guidelines on Reproductive Health Care Services

Project Overview

• Field: Maternal, Child Health & Population
• Duration: 08/2004 – 05/2005
• Funder/client: UNFPA Hanoi Office
• Implementing agency: CEHS
• Location: Ministry of Health, several international organizations, National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Từ Dũ Hospital, and reproductive health facilities in Yên Bái, Nghệ An, Quảng Nam, Gia Lai, Bình Phước, An Giang

Introduction

The study assessed implementation of the National Standards and Guidelines on Reproductive Health Care Services issued by the Ministry of Health in 2002, identifying gaps requiring revision as the guidelines were applied across health system levels. The national guideline is a technical document used by both public and private health facilities in delivering reproductive health services, and serves as a basis for training, supervision and service quality assessment.

CEHS's Role

CEHS directly conducted the assessment with senior experts including Dr. Nguyễn Đức Hồng, Dr. Vương Tiến Hòa and Dr. Lê Thị Ngọc Hà. The main task was collecting information from management agencies, international organizations, leading hospitals and local reproductive health facilities to analyze the extent of implementation, relevance, and content requiring updates.

Key Activities

• Reviewing implementation of the 2002 National Standards and Guidelines on Reproductive Health Care Services at central and local levels.
• Collecting input from relevant Ministry of Health departments, international organizations and major obstetric/gynecology hospitals.
• Conducting field surveys at reproductive health facilities in 6 representative provinces to record application results and implementation challenges.
• Analyzing gaps, technical shortcomings, and proposing revisions to the guidelines.

Key Results

• Provided an overall picture of implementation of the National Standards and Guidelines on Reproductive Health Care Services across multiple levels and types of health facilities.
• Identified shortcomings in the guideline content and in field-level implementation.
• Proposed revisions and additions to improve the technical guidelines on reproductive health care.
• Provided an evidence base for the Ministry of Health and partners to update the guidance document and improve reproductive health service quality.