PHC-PM Case Studies
PHC-PM Case Studies
About the case studies
In many low- and middle-income countries, DHMTs are tasked with translating national policies into local action—often operating with limited data, decision-making authority, or financial resources. The PHC Leadership Development Program (PHC-LDP) addresses this challenge by equipping DHMTs with tools, autonomy, and support to lead performance improvement.
In four districts across Ghana and Rwanda, DHMTs used the PHC-LDP to define Desired Measurable Results (DMRs), often longstanding health or management challenges within their districts. Through the PHC-LDP, DHMTs identified root causes and obstacles and designed focused, actionable plans to achieve meaningful improvements. The following case studies detail improvements made on specific DMRs within each district.
Resources available for download:
- Akwapim South, Ghana: In Akwapim South where geographic isolation and challenges to facility readiness limited access to safe delivery care, the district health management team built reliable 24-hour maternal health services, strengthened provider competencies, and deepened community trust through four PHC-LDP cycles of targeted improvement.
- North Tongu, Ghana: North Tongu’s district health management team used the PHC-LDP to strengthen skilled delivery services in a district challenged by flooding, remote communities, and limited facility readiness, progressively shifting focus from emergency preparedness to client experience and community engagement.
- Bugesera, Rwanda: Facing geographic barriers and uneven antenatal care coverage, Bugesera’s district health management team strengthened community mobilization, equipped facilities, and built provider capacity through a structured performance management approach to improve early pregnancy care across the district.
- Gicumbi, Rwanda: Gicumbi’s district health management team tackled persistent gaps in early antenatal care attendance by reorganizing services, strengthening community health worker outreach, and improving provider skills, demonstrating how targeted, data-driven interventions can improve maternal health outcomes at the district level.