One of our projects in Malawi has developed a novel way to improve the attitudes of staff delivering maternity and newborn services. A facility completion was organised during which judges visited 14 medical facilities in a bid to find the facility which provided the ‘best model for maternal and child health service delivery’ in Ntcheu District. The facilities were marked on specific criteria including infection prevention, availability of materials and supplies, record keeping, management of expectant women and under five children and the satisfaction levels of community members. Mrs. Banda, our project manager, said that the competition has been established because ‘there were complaints from villages that personnel in health facilities ill-treat expectant mothers and others”. At a ceremony attended by the Paramount Chief for Maseko Ngonis and other high ranking local chiefs, the Sister Theresa Community Hospital was awarded first prize and second place went to Ntonda Health facility, with third place being awarded to Ntcheu District Hospital. Acting head of the winning facility, Sister Barbara Bima, said, “I am happy that our health facility has come out first in the competition. This has happened because everybody worked hard: facility staff, local leaders, communities, Ntcheu District Hospital and the Women and Children First team”. She further pledged to defend the trophy in subsequent years. The Ntcheu District Commissioner, Macloud Kadam’manja congratulated the staff and said that “their efforts have helped to improve delivery of maternal and child health”. He added: “I am happy that this hospital has set such a good example in delivery of maternal and child health. Such initiatives..will help the government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals…”. The District Health Management Team in Ntcheu District worked with our partner, the Perinatal Care Project, to facilitate the competition and have pledged to offer their support again next year following the positive impact it had on the services involved.
