Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health

The qualification aims to improve district Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services by developing the capacity of district and regional maternal and child health managers to effectively implement maternal and child health services and qualifications at district level. The qualification focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills in assessing maternal and child health needs, identifying strategies to meet those needs and evaluating services and qualifications within the context of primary health care.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.

Level, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

• Qualification Name; Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health.
• NQF Level; 7.
• Qualification type; Postgraduate Diploma.
• Designation; Maternal and Child Health.
• Expected minimum time for completion; 2 years, part-time.
• Number of credits; 120.

Year 1; Fundamental/Core/Elective; No. of credits

• Health & Development Course; Core; 12.
• Epidemiology and Research Methods Course); Core; 12.
• The Psychosocial Context of Maternal and Child Health Course; Core; 12.
• Organisation & Management Course; Core; 12.
• The Foundations of Maternal & Child Health Course Assignment; Core; 12.

Year 2; Fundamental/Core/Elective; No. of credits

• Applied Maternal & Child Health; Core; 40.
• Health Information and/or; Elective; 10.
• Human Resource Development and/or; Elective; 10.
• Health Management or; Elective; N/A.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Identify and solve problems in which responses demonstrate critical and creative thinking.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, organisation and community.
3. Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
5. Communicate effectively.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically.
7. Demonstrate an understanding that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
8. Be culturally sensitive.
9. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Collect data on maternal and child health, identify priority maternal and child health needs, and resolve them within the existing healthcare context.
• Network within specified contexts e.g. facility-based health teams, attend multidisciplinary meetings, and conduct interviews with individuals outside of the health sector. Participate in structured group activities and provide evidence in the form of collaborative assignments.
• Manage maternal and child health interventions within primary health care and within the scope of ethical norms.
• Collect data on maternal and child health status services in the district, analyse health trends and use the information as a basis for planning a programmatic response to address the issues identified.
• Communicate verbal and written work collaboratively within the health system and with other sectors.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and correct use of relevant technology e.g. as required within a case study for establishing a Qualification/service in response to specific health needs.
• Analyse global economic, political and health trends and relate them to local maternal and child health trends. Identify global and local factors influencing health policies and the structure and functioning of health services.
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the psycho-social, and cultural variables influencing healthcare in the development of health interventions within the district health system.
• Explore personal learning style and develop learning methodology through a variety of learning/teaching exercises. Apply various strategies, based on sound learning principles, in developing health promotion strategies in the context of maternal and child.
• Within the health district apply scientific principles and problem-solving skills in identifying and resolving priority MCH issues. This includes:
• Undertaking a community diagnosis.
• Identifying information from different sources relevant to the health problem.
• Identifying the priority MCH issues.
• Demonstrating the development of an appropriate, rational intervention plan.
• Demonstrate application of knowledge and skills in the basic and psycho-social sciences and the broader socio-political context to clinical situations at individual, family, community and population level.
• Integrate socio-economic and cultural factors associated with health and health choices into health management.
• Develop a rational intervention relevant to the health situation encountered with emphasis on health behaviours and choice.
• Plan an appropriate health intervention or qualification.
• Take account of the possible influence of and collaboration between formal and informal health sectors in setting up the intervention.
• Make significant contributions to team efforts in planning and implementing the qualification.
• Review key policies and laws regulating child health.
• Locate, analyse and critique a draft policy related to the health and well-being of mothers and children.
• Critically evaluate research articles.
• Design a maternal or child health Qualification with relevant components based on a realistic budget.
• Examine the financial management activities within a health setting.
• Compare the expenditure to different line items according to specific activities within the service.
• Identify factors critical to the success of in-service training to improve maternal and child health services.
• Develop a job description for a maternal and child health Qualification manager within a health district.
• Examine the performance evaluation system within a health facility and the advantages and difficulties thereof as a basis for monitoring the effectiveness of the health service.
• Utilise work-related interpersonal conflict and its consequences for health service delivery as a basis for improving human resource management.
• Develop and implement a health promotion strategy appropriate to maternal and child health.
• Identify criteria for monitoring the effects of a health promotion intervention.

Integrated Assessment

Learners will have to pass all the coursework components to qualify for the Diploma.

Coursework assessment

Unit Submissions

• A series of reflective learning exercises and questions within each course provide opportunities for learners to establish a dialogue with tutors and other learners around the course content.

Graded Course Assignments

• Each course assignment is an opportunity for learners to synthesise learning objectives and concepts covered in the course modules in response to a health issue within their health district. Course assignments are weighted and contribute to the overall assessment.

Integrated (Consolidation) Assignments

• Two reports on the epidemiological assessment and relevant interventions of the Learner's health district. Pass mark; 60%.

Midterm Written Examination

• The purpose of this examination is to gauge progress, understanding and application of the concepts of the qualification and specifically to identify at-risk learners. It will include one written 3-hour paper in response to a case study covering the entire syllabus and collectively demonstrating a reasonable balance between the different modules. Overall pass mark; 50%.

Final Written Examination at end of 2 years

• One written 3-hour paper in response to a case study covering the entire syllabus and collectively demonstrating a reasonable balance between the different modules. Overall pass mark; 50%.
• Certification by the head of the Child Health Unit that at least 160 hours of face-to-face contact will have taken place.

Caurses Year 1; Weighting

• Health & Development Course; 10%.
• Epidemiology and Research Methods Course; 10%.
• The Psychosocial Context of Maternal and Child Health Course; 10%.
• Organisation & Management Course; 10%.
• The Foundations of Maternal & Child Health Course Assignment; 10%.

Courses Year 2

• Integrated (Consolidation) Assignment x 2; 10% and 10%.
• Mid-term Written Examination; 10%.
• End-of Qualification Assessment; 20%.