Summarizes the points discussed and conclusions reached during an intercountry workshop focused on ways to improve the management of programmes for maternal and child health and family planning. The workshop, which united district health managers with national planners from eight South-East Asian countries, was convened in view of the large population of mothers and children receiving inadequate care and the fact that managerial problems are the most frequent cause of ineffective services. Common problems identified include lack of fundamental supplies and equipment, rapid turnover of voluntary health workers, inadequate or unreliable data, and insufficient training of traditional birth attendants. Having identified the problems, the report turns to an evaluation of techniques and methods that can improve managerial efficiency. Particular attention is given to use of the rapid-evaluation methodology and of simplified statistical methods for acquiring reliable data. The report concludes with a series of national action plans formulated for each of the eight countries represented.

SEARO

eng.

WHODOC

WHO monograph

4