Helping Babies Survive in Jamaica: An integrated needs-based approach for HRH planning and training

Issue Due to high rates of stillbirth and poor MNCH, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health has been committed to building health system capacity to ensure mothers and newborns have the best possible health outcomes. Solution The Helping Babies Survive (HBS) project aimed to integrate health workforce planning and health service capacity to provide essential care to newborns and mothers. The project identified service areas with the greatest needs by analyzing the capacity of health facilities to provide neonatal care during different levels of daily workflows:Average day – 21 births per day with 2 higher needs babiesBusy day – 35 births per day with 3 higher-needs babiesHigher-needs day – 21 births per day with 6 higher needs babiesThe program trained ‘Master Trainers’ and healthcare providers to improve care capacity and overall skill level. Outcome Integrating health service and workforce planning enabled decision/policy-makers to effectively utilize their workforce to meet care demands. The project observed a greater capacity for team-delivered care for neonates and women. Over 9 months, the HBS program trained and enhanced the skills of 14 Master Trainers and 39 healthcare providers. The study of daily workflows and capacity found:On an ‘average’ day: requirements for newborns exams, handwashing, and breastfeeding support were unable to be metOn a ‘busy’ day: there are further shortages of servicesOn ‘higher-needs’ days: care requirements are pronouncedBuilding capacity of facilities through workforce allocation and skill building has proved to improve the confidence of health workers and their ability to meet the needs of women and children.