PHIT Supports G-ANC Training for Jhpiego’s HARMONY Project

In August 2026, Prime Health Initiative Tanzania (PHIT) joined Jhpiego to provide technical support for the introduction of Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) under the HARMONY Project in Mwanza Region.

Drawing on practical experience from implementing G-ANC through the Mlinde Mama Project in Geita Region, PHIT contributed to the review and adaptation of G-ANC materials and supported the training of 30 healthcare providers from 10 health facilities across six district councils in Mwanza Region.

The engagement provided an important opportunity to translate lessons from G-ANC implementation in Geita into practical support for healthcare providers preparing to introduce the model in a new setting.

Preparing for Implementation: Reviewing the G-ANC Materials

PHIT's engagement began with a three-day technical review of the G-ANC materials from 13–15 August 2026.

The review provided an opportunity to draw on lessons from real-world implementation and ensure that the materials reflected practical considerations for delivering G-ANC within routine health services.

Drawing on experience from the Mlinde Mama Project, PHIT contributed practical insights related to organizing G-ANC groups, facilitating sessions, integrating clinical services with participatory group learning, and addressing implementation challenges encountered at health facility level.

This preparatory work helped ensure that the subsequent healthcare provider training was grounded not only in the principles of G-ANC, but also in the realities providers may encounter when implementing the model within routine maternal health services.

Building G-ANC Capacity Across Mwanza Region

Following the materials review, PHIT supported a five-day G-ANC training from 17–21 August 2026, bringing together 30 healthcare providers from 10 health facilities located within six district councils of Mwanza Region.

The training equipped healthcare providers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to introduce and deliver G-ANC within their facilities. Participants explored key aspects of the model, including organizing group sessions, facilitating participatory learning, integrating routine antenatal clinical assessments, engaging pregnant women, and adapting implementation to their individual facility contexts.

Throughout the training, the PHIT team shared practical examples and lessons from implementing G-ANC through the Mlinde Mama Project, enabling participants to learn from challenges, adaptations, and solutions that emerged during implementation in Geita Region.

From Geita to Mwanza: Turning Experience into Shared Learning

PHIT's contribution to the HARMONY Project builds on its experience implementing G-ANC within public health facilities in Geita Region.

The Mlinde Mama Project generated practical knowledge about what it takes to move G-ANC from a model on paper to a service delivered within routine health systems. Sharing these lessons with healthcare providers in Mwanza demonstrates how implementation experience generated in one setting can inform the introduction and adaptation of the approach elsewhere.

It also represents an important evolution in PHIT's role—from directly implementing G-ANC to supporting other programs and healthcare teams to adopt, adapt, and strengthen the model.

Beyond Training: Supporting G-ANC Implementation

The August training represents the beginning of this collaboration. As healthcare providers begin translating their new knowledge and skills into routine practice, PHIT envisions continued technical support to strengthen implementation at facility level.

Future areas of support are expected to include:

• On-site mentorship and supportive supervision for healthcare providers implementing G-ANC;
• Continued review and refinement of G-ANC materials based on implementation experience;
• Strengthening data capture and use to support monitoring, learning, and improvement; and
• On-the-job training and continuous capacity building for healthcare teams.

This approach recognizes that successful introduction of G-ANC requires more than a single training. Continued mentorship, learning from implementation, effective use of routine data, and adaptation to local facility realities will be important as healthcare teams integrate G-ANC into everyday service delivery.

Strengthening Maternal and Newborn Care through HARMONY

Funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities, HARMONY is a multi-year project implemented by Jhpiego in partnership with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen high-quality, integrated maternal and newborn health services.

The project focuses on strengthening antenatal, postnatal, and infant services through approaches including Group Antenatal Care and Group Postnatal Care (G-ANC/G-PNC), quality improvement, and integrated service delivery in high-volume health facilities.

PHIT's engagement with HARMONY strengthens its collaboration with Jhpiego and demonstrates the value of partnerships that bring together technical expertise, practical implementation experience, and health-system learning.

As this collaboration moves from training to implementation, PHIT looks forward to continuing to share lessons from its G-ANC experience and supporting healthcare teams to translate those lessons into high-quality, sustainable maternal health services for women and families in Mwanza Region.