Conference Material > Poster
Kenntner S, Samba Yadensi M, Fiddler J, Baieli E, Leone G, et al.
MSF Paediatric Days 2022. 2022 November 30; DOI:10.57740/j7vc-x981
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Confl Health. 2022 May 7; Volume 16; 23.; DOI:10.1186/s13031-022-00440-6
Russell N, Tappis H, Mwanga JP, Black B, Thapa K, et al.
Confl Health. 2022 May 7; Volume 16; 23.; DOI:10.1186/s13031-022-00440-6
BACKGROUND
Maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) is a system of identifying, analyzing and learning lessons from such deaths in order to respond to and prevent future deaths, and has been recommended by WHO and implemented in many low-and-middle-income settings in recent years. However, there is limited documentation of experience with MPDSR in humanitarian settings. A meeting on MPDSR in humanitarian settings was convened by WHO, UNICEF, CDC and Save the Children, UNFPA, and UNHCR on 17th–18th October 2019, informed by semi-structured interviews with a range of professionals, including experts attendees.
CONSULTATION FINDINGS
Interviewees revealed significant obstacles to the full implementation of the MPDSR process in humanitarian settings. Many obstacles were familiar to low resource settings in general but were amplified in the context of a humanitarian crisis, such as overburdened services, disincentives to reporting, accountability gaps, a blame approach, and politicization of mortality. Factors more unique to humanitarian contexts included concerns about health worker security and moral distress. There are varying levels of institutionalization and implementation capacity for MPDSR within humanitarian organizations. It is suggested that if poorly implemented, particularly with a punitive or blame approach, MPDSR may be counterproductive. Nevertheless, successes in MPDSR were described whereby the process led to concrete actions to prevent deaths, and where death reviews have led to an improved understanding of complex and rectifiable contextual factors leading to deaths in humanitarian settings.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the challenges, examples exist where the lessons learned from MPDSR processes have led to improved access and quality of care in humanitarian contexts, including successful advocacy. An adapted approach is required to ensure feasibility, with varying implementation being possible in different phases of crises. There is a need for guidance on MPDSR in humanitarian contexts, and for greater documentation and learning from experiences.
Maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) is a system of identifying, analyzing and learning lessons from such deaths in order to respond to and prevent future deaths, and has been recommended by WHO and implemented in many low-and-middle-income settings in recent years. However, there is limited documentation of experience with MPDSR in humanitarian settings. A meeting on MPDSR in humanitarian settings was convened by WHO, UNICEF, CDC and Save the Children, UNFPA, and UNHCR on 17th–18th October 2019, informed by semi-structured interviews with a range of professionals, including experts attendees.
CONSULTATION FINDINGS
Interviewees revealed significant obstacles to the full implementation of the MPDSR process in humanitarian settings. Many obstacles were familiar to low resource settings in general but were amplified in the context of a humanitarian crisis, such as overburdened services, disincentives to reporting, accountability gaps, a blame approach, and politicization of mortality. Factors more unique to humanitarian contexts included concerns about health worker security and moral distress. There are varying levels of institutionalization and implementation capacity for MPDSR within humanitarian organizations. It is suggested that if poorly implemented, particularly with a punitive or blame approach, MPDSR may be counterproductive. Nevertheless, successes in MPDSR were described whereby the process led to concrete actions to prevent deaths, and where death reviews have led to an improved understanding of complex and rectifiable contextual factors leading to deaths in humanitarian settings.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the challenges, examples exist where the lessons learned from MPDSR processes have led to improved access and quality of care in humanitarian contexts, including successful advocacy. An adapted approach is required to ensure feasibility, with varying implementation being possible in different phases of crises. There is a need for guidance on MPDSR in humanitarian contexts, and for greater documentation and learning from experiences.
Journal Article > ReviewFull Text
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 September 27; Volume 5 (Issue 1); e001156.; DOI:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001156
Janet S, Russell N, Morton N, Martinez D, Tamannai M, et al.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 September 27; Volume 5 (Issue 1); e001156.; DOI:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001156
Around the world, one in four children live in a country affected by conflict, political insecurity and disaster. Healthcare in humanitarian and fragile settings is challenging and complex to provide, particularly for children. Furthermore, there is a distinct lack of medical literature from humanitarian settings to guide best practice in such specific and resource-limited contexts. In light of these challenges, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organisation, created the MSF Paediatric Days with the aim of uniting field staff, policymakers and academia to exchange ideas, align efforts, inspire and share frontline research and experiences to advance humanitarian paediatric and neonatal care. This 2-day event takes place regularly since 2016. The fourth edition of the MSF Paediatric Days in April 2021 covered five main topics: essential newborn care, community-based models of care, paediatric tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance in neonatal and paediatric care and the collateral damage of COVID-19 on child health. In addition, eight virtual stands from internal MSF initiatives and external MSF collaborating partners were available, and 49 poster communications and five inspiring short talks referred to as 'PAEDTalks' were presented. In conclusion, the MSF Paediatric Days serves as a unique forum to advance knowledge on humanitarian paediatrics and creates opportunities for individual and collective learning, as well as networking spaces for interaction and exchange of ideas.
Conference Material > Poster
Hinh J, Chan G, du Cros PAK, Walker SA, Graham SM, et al.
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 2022 May 9; DOI:10.57740/3r4d-b715