Abstract Detail

Abstract

EMTCT serves as an entry point for the prevention of HIV and Syphilis infections while continuous. Follow-up care treatment of exposed infants, children, and families living with HIV is provided on the same Platform. Over 90% of new infections among infants and young children occur through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Without any interventions, between 20% and 45% may become infected. (MOH 2020). Therefore Partners in Health supports the Ministry of Health to implement the EMTCT services. However, at rural initiative (RI) facilities follow-up of HIV-exposed infants demonstrates gaps in data quality for six weeks, nine, and eighteen months respectively. Method: The rural health center Quality Improvement teams utilized the Quality Improvement approach to solicit the gaps in the HIV-exposed infants data from six weeks, nine months, and 18 months. The departure point for the implementation was identified over EMTCT data for one year. Subsequently, the roadmap for the implementation was garnished by the teams' weekly data audits, where data was triangulated through various data reporting tools. The pathways for the data audit were also complemented by tracking the HIV-exposed infants to prompt timely data outcomes and documentation. Results: Throughout the span of the QI project implementation, the data has demonstrated improvement in HEI data by June 2024 at six weeks from 88% to 100 % while at nine months the improvement was noticeable from 64 to 86 %, and at 18 months where significance is evident from 58 to 82 % Recommendations/ Conclusions: Improved inter professional collaboration coupled with timely data reviews aid in improved data quality and on referral and linkages to the relevant levels of care

Biography

An enthusiastic professional public health PhD candidate with background and experience in public health innovation with over 15 years of experience. I specialize in primary health care, health promotion, project management, policy development infection prevention and control (IPC), quality improvement, and health system strengthening. Proficient in Microsoft Word, excel, stata. My career is defined by significant continental roles and dedication to strengthening the health system, training, and Global Advocacy and bridging solutions to address the health inequity gap. Serving as the Health Care Quality Improvement Program Lead for Partners in Health Lesotho, I led efforts to bolster health systems across the ten districts of Lesotho reinvigorating the health reform. My tenure as a Health Care Quality Improvement Lead, further allowed me to develop Quality Assurance or quality standards and implement pivotal Quality strategies throughout the districts and at the health centers. As the Health Care Quality Improvement Program Lead, I orchestrated initiatives that significantly advanced coaching and mentorship across the region and multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating my leadership, management, and impact on public health policies and practices. Fluency in coaching and mentorship and proven leadership in multicultural settings and interdisciplinary teams enable me to lead diverse teams and promote collaborative learning effectively. These roles underscore my ability to navigate and influence health outcomes at both regional and continental levels and at the global level through the Global Fund Advocates Network. In the academic sphere, I have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health at the University of Pretoria, while my Honors degree from the University of Free State measured in Primary Health care, Occupational Health Care, Community Health, HIV/AID management and Management. I have fostered research that directly addresses global health challenges, underscoring my commitment to public health education, this is justified in the dissertation I undertook that focused on a male partner-inclusive health system. My academic journey, featuring a Ph.D. in Public Health, equips me with a multidisciplinary lens essential for tackling complex health crises because of my health economics, public management, epidemiology biostatistics, and research skills. 

Looking ahead, I am driven to leverage my vast experience, innovative mindset, and strategic vision to tackle pressing health system and public health challenges, aiming to contribute significantly to global health advancements and foster health system readiness.