Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth: - IAWG

PROVIDER AND COMMUNITY LINKAGES C-79CREATING AN IMPROVED HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENTThe district hospital should strive to create a welcoming environmentfor women, communities and providers from peripheral health units. Itshould support the worthy efforts of other providers and work withthem to correct deficiencies.When dealing with other providers, doctors and midwives at the districthospital should:• encourage and thank providers who refer patients, especially in thepresence of the woman and her family;• offer clinical guidance and corrective suggestions in private, so asto maintain the provider’s credibility in the community;• involve the provider (to an appropriate extent) in the continuedcare of the woman.When dealing with the community, doctors and midwives at the districthospital should:• invite members of the community to be part of the district hospitalor health development committee;• identify key persons in the community and invite them into thefacility to learn about its role and function, as well as itsconstraints and limitations;• create opportunities for the community to view the district hospitalas a wellness facility (e.g. through vaccination campaigns andscreening programs).MEETING THE NEEDS OF WOMENTo enhance its appeal to women and the community, the districthospital should be willing to examine its own service delivery practices.The facility should create a culturally sensitive and comfortableenvironment which:• respects the woman’s modesty and privacy;• welcomes family members;