Session objectives: • To learn approaches, methodologies, and tools used in quality improvement of maternal, newborn and child health • To share experiences and lessons in applying quality improvement approaches in countries with different health systems The considerable efforts have been devoted by the countries and donor community to improve the coverage of maternal, newborn and child health services. This has not been matched by equivalent efforts to improve the quality of care received. Quality care lies at the core of all strategies for accelerating progress towards MDG4 &5. The choice of quality improvement methodologies and tools depends on the healthcare system and its available resources. The session will provide an opportunity to share the experience of countries with different types of health systems in application of maternal, newborn and child care quality improvement approaches at different levels of health systems. The session is organized by John Snow, Inc and there are four presenters from JSI implemented projects in Ukraine, Bolivia, Russia and Ghana. Mother and Infant Health Project in Ukraine has addressed maternal and newborn care quality through multidisciplinary training of health care providers, follow-up supportive supervisory visits for skills reinforcement, monthly monitoring of main perinatal indicators with operative decision making, development and institutionalization of evidence-based guidelines for obstetric and neonatal complications. These have led to significant reduction of maternal mortality and early neonatal mortality rates. Management and Quality in Health Project in Bolivia implemented continuous quality improvement strategy using a collaborative model that resulted in improved management and recovery of malnourished children. Institutionalizing Best Practices in Maternal and Child Health Project in Russia have reorganized maternal and newborn care services and existing resources by establishing an effective referral system. Existing health care services are rationalized to ensure that each pregnant woman and each newborn baby is cared for in an appropriate facility. This and other quality improvement initiatives have led to rapid positive changes and to significant improvement of the perinatal care quality, maternal and perinatal mortality reduction. While performance based financing is primarily designed towards increasing uptake of services and is a proven way to meet quantitative indicators, this health financing mechanism can contribute to quality improvement of healthcare and reinforce results. Ghana Focus Regional Health Project has tested this approach in 14 districts to address pertinent problems in maternal, newborn and child health and family planning. Although the period of implementation of the performance-based financing model is yet to be complete, the early results are showing improvement in coverage, quality and delivery of basic health service. Session moderator: Dr. Nino Berdzuli, Senior Technical Advisor, John Snow, Inc, nberdzuli@jsi.com Presenters: 1. Dr. Oleg Kuzmenko, Chief of Party, MIHP, Ukraine 2. Dr. Renata Schumacher, Chief of Party, Management in Quality Health Project, Bolivia 3. Dr. Natalia Vartapetova, Chief of Party, IBP-MCH Project, Russia 4. Dr. Edward Bonuku,Focus Regional Health Project, Ghana