Strategic Planning in Health Facilities: An Approach for Building Commitments for Improving Quality of Emergency Obstetric Care in Low Income Countries

Victor Ohenhen, Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State
Blessing Omo-Omorodion
Friday Okonofua, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State , Nigeria
Lorretta Favour C. Ntoimo, Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Wilson Imongan, Women's Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC)
Best Ojemhen, University of Benin

Background: The poor quality of Emergency obstetric care (EMOC) in developing countries is still a major health challenge that results in high maternal mortality in Nigeria. We investigated the impact of developing and implementing multi-stakeholders strategic plan for building commitments to improve the quality of EMOC in developing countries. Methods: We employed formative and interventional approaches. We conducted Key Informants Interviews senior health managers in eight Nigerian secondary and tertiary referral hospitals. We also carried out a multi-stakeholders’ SWOT analysis in two of the secondary health care facilities. The SWOT analysis was followed by the development and implementation of strategic plans in the two hospitals. Results: The study identified similar challenges in the two study centres. In 4 months of implementation of multifaceted intervention, we recorded less delay in management of patients and reduced number of preventable maternal deaths. Conclusion: Strategic planning is effective in addressing self-identified challenges in EMOC