International Development Grant
Integrated Pathways for Improving Maternal Newborn and Child Health
Project Number: CA-3-D001995001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $22,324,258.00
Start Date: October 12, 2016
End Date: March 31, 2021
Duration: 4.5 years
Project Description
The project aims to strengthen health systems in the districts of Chitipa Kasungu and Salima in Malawi by working with local health authorities to improve water sanitation and medical waste management systems at health facilities and through improved capacity of facility and community-based health workers to deliver gender-sensitive maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. Project activities include: (1) training health workers on the full MNCH continuum of care including SRHR and the importance of improved sanitation and hygiene as a key measure to prevent infection; (2) establishing and rehabilitating water supply systems hand washing stations and medical waste management systems at health facilities; (3) developing and implementing scorecards and other citizen engagement mechanisms to enable communities to communicate their healthcare needs to local government and provide feedback on whether these needs are being met. This initiative is implemented through a consortium led by CowaterSogema International and includes Plan International Canada in collaboration with Plan International Malawi and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for the project include: (1) improved delivery of essential health services including SRHR to mothers pregnant women newborns and children under 5; and (2) improved utilization of essential health services by mothers pregnant women newborns and children under 5.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2021) include: (1) 79% of mothers and pregnant women have reported satisfaction with services at the targeted health facilities of the Chitipa District compared to 52% at the baseline; (2) skilled health personnel in the Kasungu district attended 94% of birth compared to 90% at the baseline; (3) 32% of pregnant women in Chitipa district and 29% of pregnant women in Kasungu district received four antenatal care visits compared with the baseline of 33.1% and 27.7% respectively; (4) at least 40% of women and adolescent girl members composed of 100% of the 26 Health Advisory Committees in the project; (5) renovated 19 labour rooms in health facilities(12 in Kasungu five in Chitipa and two in Salima); and (6) 16 health facilities have operational solar-powered water systems (11 in Kasungu four in Chitipa and one in Salima).
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Cowater International Inc.
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Call for Proposals