Supporting Health System Strengthening in Afghanistan
| Project Title | Family Health House Evaluation |
| Donor | UNFPA |
| Chief investigator | Dr Noor Shah Kamawal |
| Co-investigators | Clare Strachan, Shazra Abbas, Sonja Firth |
| Collaborating Organisations | Health Protection and Research Organization (HPRO) |
The problem
Afghanistan, known to have some of the worst maternal and newborn indicators in the world, introduced the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in 2003. This initiative aimed to improve access to primary health care, including maternal health services, at health centres and district hospitals throughout the country. Donors supporting the Afghanistan health system are searching for solutions to ensure sustainable primary and secondary healthcare for all.
The research
The FHH is a community-led initiative that involves training local women in remote communities as midwives and providing infrastructure, equipment, and medicines to provide essential maternal and newborn health services. We undertook an independent assessment of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, coverage and connectedness of Project support and the extent to which the project addressed gender equality and environmental sustainability.
The impact
The evaluation found that while the FHH project provided an important solution to the challenge of equitable access to health care, shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies and lack of basic infrastructure (such as water supply), are a limiting factor to quality services. This evaluation provides essential insights to enable strengthening of initiatives and access to good quality maternal healthcare for vulnerable women.
SDG Goals
Advancing Melbourne 2030 Research framework
Practice Area
Equity and inclusion; Health system strengthening; Women’s Health
Countries
Afghanistan