MNCH Health Systems Strengthening

A well-functioning health system is essential for delivering high-quality maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services.
This Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) toolkit provides practical guidance on improving MNCH outcomes by reinforcing the six key health system building blocks, as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with a critical focus on community engagement.

• Leadership & Governance: Establishing strong policies, coordination mechanisms, and accountability frameworks for effective MNCH programs. This toolkit also includes a section on Advocacy, which is an essential component of strong leadership and governance.
• Health Financing: Securing sustainable funding and financial protection mechanisms to reduce out-of-pocket costs for MNCH services.
• Health Workforce: Strengthening training, recruitment, and retention of skilled birth attendants, midwives, nurses, and community health workers.
• Access to Essential Medicines & Supplies: Ensuring reliable supply chains for MNCH commodities, including vaccines, medications, and emergency care supplies.
• Quality of Service Delivery: Ensuring accessible, equitable, and high-quality MNCH care, including essential interventions at all levels of the health system.
• Health Information Systems: Enhancing data collection, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making to improve service delivery.

Additionally, Community Engagement is integrated to empower families and local stakeholders in strengthening MNCH services.

This toolkit provides strategies to help local governments build resilient health systems and improve maternal and child survival.