Showcasing maternal, child, health best practices in Sri Lanka

31 January 2021
News release

Sri Lanka has made overwhelming progress in the provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and youth health (RMNCAYH) services. To build on our progress, we seek examples and evidence from previously implemented programmes and projects. The gap between evidence and practice is an issue that plagues the improvement of health services worldwide; continued growth in healthcare innovation is needed to provide more effective and safer healthcare. Documenting findings and lessons from maternal, child, and family planning is a valuable contribution to evidence generation; sharing knowledge on what works, where, and how, as well as what does not work, encountered challenges, and limitations. This type of research allows us to identify relevant and adaptable practices to improve maternal and child health and family planning in our nation.

 The Department of Community Medicine of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in collaboration with Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, and World Health Organization Sri Lanka collated “Best practices in maternal, child health and family planning in Sri Lanka” in 2019. This work attempted to highlight the activities being conducted in Medical Officer of Health areas to innovatively implement interventions. The publication shows how individuals have been creative, using ‘out of the box’ ideas to attain intervention coverage and achieve performance indicators. 

 In line with 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the College of Community Physicians Annual Academic Sessions, a pre-congress session was held for public health staff on the 14th September 2020 at the Family Health Bureau. Public health teams were invited to present their best practices, which were published in “Best practices in maternal, child health and family planning in Sri Lanka”. The Pre-congress session included fifteen oral presentations, where public health teams showcased their research and expanded on their work, best practices, and/or innovations in public health. The scope of work included sexual and reproductive health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, primary health care, environmental and occupation health, food hygiene, and other relevant topics. The event was sponsored by World Health Organization Sri Lanka. It provided a great opportunity for public health teams to not only share their experience and knowledge but to improve their presentation skills on a national platform.

 The Family Health Bureau in collaboration with World Health Organization Sri Lanka is planning to organize this event yearly; providing a national platform for public health teams from all MOH offices in Sri Lanka to present their innovations and best practices. Next year, the event will focus on synergizing the COVID-19 response to maintain essential RMNCAYH services in Sri Lanka.

 

Snapshots from Best practices

Health promotion messages


Health promotion messages (SMS) were sent to pregnant mothers using group texts.

99% of pregnant mothers attended appointments on time

Improving preschool conditions


Streamlined preschool surveys and school medical inspections. Used the report as an advocacy tool to mobilize resources

53% of preschools improved their facilities

Reduce home deliveries

Conducted awareness sessions, developed individual delivery plans, and mobilized resources to help mothers reach hospitals early.

Reduced  home deliveries from 14-16% to 0%

Awareness sessions on family planning


Special awareness programs conducted for women of reproductive age on modern family planning methods.

New acceptors increased from 20% to 23%

Promotion of physical exercise among women

Conducted awareness sessionsto motivate people to exercise regularly, eat well, and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Mean BMI of the group reduced by 83% in 6 months