ASSESSING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL CARE IN ANGOLA

Key words: Paediatric hospital care

A project aimed at improving the quality of paediatric hospital care in the Luanda Province (Angola) was carried out with the support of the Italian governmental aid agency. The first step was to assess the quality of care through a standardised tool, based on WHO guidelines for paediatric hospital care. The critical areas identified as priorities were: emergency triage, case-management of severe cases of ARI, diarrhoea and malaria, monitoring practices and access of mothers to hospital wards. The interventions included: involvement of mothers in hospital care, improved emergency triage practices, the development of case management protocols for the most severe conditions, revision of monitoring routines and availability of oxygen. The participatory nature of the assessment and the priority setting process were key factors in building awareness and commitment. Furthermore, the project raised general issues, such as availability of essential drugs, training of personnel, and the role of nurses, all of which were brought to the attention of the national authorities. A national plan of action is now underway.