Resource planning for maternal and newborn health services (MPS-iHTP tool)
Making Pregnancy Safer-Integrated Health Technology Package (MPS-iHTP) - a resource planning tool for key interventions in maternal and newborn health
This resource planning tool seeks to identify all resources needed for key interventions in maternal and newborn health provided at the health centre and hospital level. The tool integrates epidemiology and population coverage, clinical practices, health system requirements and constraints. Included in this tool are 58 interventions during and following pregnancy and childbirth.
The tool can be used by managers of maternity facilities, national and sub-national level health managers and planners, as well as policy makers.
Based on estimated work load, the tool clearly identifies the required resource inputs needed such as medicines, equipment, supplies, physical infrastructure and human resources. Mapped against current practices, the tool is able to identify gaps in resources for scaling up delivery of quality maternal and newborn health services. The gap-analysis enables managers to make informed decisions on acquisition, deployment and utilization of the required resources thus contributing to cost-effective, quality and equitable maternal and newborn health service delivery.
MPS-iHTP, developed by MPS in collaboration with the Department of Health Policy, Development and Services (HSS) has been introduced in several countries. The iHTP software can be used for resource planning also in other programmes.
The maternal and newborn health module is available from the MPS department. The tool is introduced in countries through a stepwise process which includes training of a core team (preferably an institution) to use the software, followed by customization of the generic tool to various conditions specific to the country.
This tool is based on the WHO IMPAC clinical guidelines:
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Newborn Care: A guide for essential practice
- Managing Newborn Problems: a guide for doctors, nurses and midwives
- Managing Newborn Problems: a guide for doctors, nurses and midwives
For further information contact: Dr Matthews Mathai, mathaim@who.int