Dr Gugu Ngubane, A-Plan National Project
Manager
In November 2009, A-Plan partners gathered to discuss their
progress. Reports were presented by managers from seven health
districts and representatives from the social mobilisation and QI
teams.
At facility-level there have been improved outcomes across many,
but not all of the eleven health indicators. Highlights
include:
- In the Maluti-a-Phofung sub-district in Free State there has
been an improvement in all steps of the PMTCT cascade;
- In the Zululand district of KwaZulu Natal there has been an
increase in women being fast-tracked to HAART from 12% to 61%; and
an increase in exposed infants tested for PCR at 6 weeks from 15%
to 64%;
- In the Senqu sub-district of the Eastern Cape the number of
clinics providing AZT to pregnant women has increased from 14 to
20;
- In the Dannhauser sub-district of KwaZulu Natal there has been
an increase in women receiving dual therapy from 71% to 100% and an
increase in eligible women referred for HAART from 13% to 33%;
- In Bojanala district there has been an improvement in CD4 count
tests from 59.7% in July to 88.9% in September;
- The A-Plan has encouraged facilities to own and use their data
to manage and improve their services.
Breakaway groups made recommendations on ways to improve the
coordination and integration of the A-Plan with PMTCT and maternal
and child health programmes. Other breakaway groups discussed
strengthening social mobilisation and monitoring and
evaluation.
For more information :
Jack Lewis of Community Media Trust speaks during a
breakaway session
