1. Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality through strengthening Primary Health Care in SA (RMCH)
Dr. Gugu Ngubane
Futures Group

2. What is RMCH?
RMCH is a three year programme funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).
It was designed with NDOH to support national priorities in health sector as indicated in the Presidential National Service Delivery Agreement for Health
The main aim of RMCH is to provide support for the National Department of Health (NDOH) to improve the quality of, and access to, reproductive, maternal and child health services for women and children living in poorer, underserved parts of South Africa.

3. RMCH Focus areas
Strengthening the district’s oversight to improve RMCH services, by training district clinical specialist teams (DCSTs).
Strengthening the delivery of ward-based PHC outreach, including school health and obstetric and neonatal emergency services, by training community health workers in provision of basic obstetric and neonatal services.
Supporting the improvement of demand and accountability for RMCH services at the community level, by engaging civil society organisations (CSOs) and through provision of a grants mechanism.
Supporting the development of new knowledge around removing barriers to uptake and access of RMCH services by building district, facility and community level capacity in data demand and use

5. By who? Futures Group leads a partnership with
Health Systems Trust (HST),
Save the Children UK (SCUK) and
Social Development Direct (SDD).

6. Partnership Approach
Guided by strong policy base – Maternal, Child and Women’s Health Strategy and Ten Point Plan and NHI
Integrated Approach linking Inputs, Outputs and Outcomes (theory of change)

7. What are the expected results?
Reduced maternal and child mortality with estimated 3000 maternal and 25,000 neonatal deaths prevented and 700,000 DALYs through improved quality of, and access to RMCH services by women and girls in underserved districts of South Africa
Maternal Mortality Ratio :
2010 baseline:
400/100,00
2015 target:
310/100,00
Infant Mortality Rate:
53/1000
35/1000
Under 5 Mortality Rate:
2010 baseline
104/1000
2015 target
20/1,000
New DCSTs form a central part of district pilots pf NHI and re-engineering of PHC announced in Parliament in early May.

8. Contact information
Dr Gugu Ngubane – Team Leader (Futures Group)
Caroline Mbi-njifor - Deputy Lead: Operations and Finance (Futures Group)
Petro Rousseau – Deputy Lead: Technical (HST)
Melinda Van Zyl – Acting Programme Director (SCUK)
Khathatso Mokoetle – Demand and Accountability Advisor (SDD)
Dr Nombulelo Skeyile – MCH Technical Advisor (Futures Group)