Based on the success of the Capacity Project’s performance improvement (PI) approach, supported by USAID/G-CAP, the Guatemala Ministry of Health announced that the follow-up to the gaps defined using the PI approach will be included in the country’s health plan covering the first 100 days of 2009.

The Project implemented the strategy in 2007 to strengthen HIV and TB coinfection services. This process identified performance gaps and motivated multidisciplinary care teams to improve services, particularly client/provider interaction and compliance with clinical and technical protocols.

In 2008, local and national-level Ministry of Health staff took part in a training workshop that expanded and standardized the PI approach. To date, nine hospitals (eight secondary and one tertiary) have implemented the approach. Additionally, teams improved infection prevention measures and waste management at hospitals.

January 2009