Evaluation of The Health Operational Fund Program for Improving Maternal Health Care

Background: Maternal mortality rates remain high in developing countries. According to UNICEF, a woman dies from complications during childbirth every minute, which is about 529,000 each year. The vast majority of maternal mortality occurs in developing countries. Health operational fund program has been launched by the goverment of Indonesia to improve maternal health care, and it has been implemented by the health care facilities. This study aimed to asses the evaluation of health operational fund program for improving maternal health care in Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatera. Subjects and Method: This was a qualitative study conducted at Puskesmas (Community Health Center) Pijorkoling and District Health Office Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatera, in March 2018. The independent variable was the health operational fund program. The dependent variable was maternal health care. The data were collected by in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and document review. Results: Puskesmas had sufficient resources including health manpower and facilities to operate the health operational fund program for improving maternal health care. Puskesmas had set up an action plan based on previous program achievement involving inter sectoral collaboration. Conclusion: Puskesmas had planned and implemented the health operational fund program appropriately to improve maternal health care. Keywords: health operational fund program, maternal health care