In 2020, Group Care Global (GCG), together with partners in seven countries, launched GC_1000. GCG's main role in GC_1000 is to lead Work Package 4 (WP4) to guide and support timely implementation and sustaining of specific group care protocols (antenatal, postnatal+) in demonstration sites in seven countries. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, GCG knew that the only way to have consistent global reach would be to use virtual learning as one core way to provide initial orientation to the group care model. With the pandemic, virtual platforms have become a standard way for people to meet, learn, and interact. Our work in GC_1000 is no different. 

To develop the virtual modules, GCG partnered with CAI Global, a diverse, mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care and social services delivered to marginalized populations worldwide. The modules are linked with GCG's Site Implementation Guide and serve as a partner's first step towards model

implementation. GCG Consultants partner with country lead and health care sites to then offer training and ongoing support to site staff so that implementation proceeds smoothly.  GCG and CAI developed 12 interactive online learning modules, The learning modules and accompanying training videos are designed to meet the needs of learners around the world as they implement Centering-based group care in their communities and to help local partners assess their readiness, potential challenges, and assets for their model implementation. Site staff and GCG consultant experiences will help to further refine the modules, providing site-level feedback about the appropriateness, usefulness, and applicability of the information and formats for diverse sites around the world. 

Future plans include a robust evaluation of the modules’ effectiveness and level of user engagement, and enhanced elements such as translation, country-specific graphics, and accessibility features.

Please find below the instructions for creating an account to access the Group Care Implementation Modules (12). 

STEP 1: go to the MODULE HOME PAGE

STEP 2: Click, Create new account

STEP 3: Type in all information marked with an exclamation point in a red circle

Note: Please include your country, even if that is not a mandatory field (we will change the system so it will be mandatory. If not based in the United States, please indicate "Other" in the box marked "State"

The Ghanaian National Steering Committee members have been very receptive of the project and provided very good suggestions and feedback during our maiden meeting held on the 23^rd February 2021.

We received the following suggestions from NSC:

1. The project should identify the role each cadre of staff plays to avoid conflict in the future and aid in the smooth implementation and scale-up. If roles are not assigned properly there will be sabotaged and frictions. e.g. when the check2gether is introduced and the women don’t patronize the services of the laboratory technicians this will bring about conflicts. He therefore advised that the project should consider all such impending issues.
2. The committee proposed that the mothers themselves should be made to decide the groupings themselves from experience they tend to more comfortable and participatory if they are made to decide on the grouping themselves.
3. Group care is best in low risk pregnancy. These risk pregnancies should be taken into consideration not to be merged them in the group care such as women with sickle cell and cardiovascular issues. There should be a pathway to identify such women to refer them to the Hospital. It was therefore decided that the first point of reporting should be at the hospital to know their conditions. This should be one of the criteria before allowing women to be part for the group to identify all risk pregnancies.
4. The formation of the groups must make available some cadre of staff to support strengthen the group eg
   • Obstetricians
   • Pharmacist
   • Gynecologists
5. The socio-cultural aspects of the settings should be taken into consideration as decision making is not usually the sole prerogative of the women but also involves the entire family. The committee proposed that in the preparation of the questionnaires, it should cover some cultural question to help educate them.

Dissemination and information Feedback from stakeholders and Next steps

1. Creation of Group Google emails / WhatsApp group to disseminate information
2. The committee selected the Chairperson of the National Steering committee – Mr. Sam Sarpong Appiah and the Vice Chairperson, Madam Grace Dankwah – Nursing and Midwifery Council Ghana

Closing Remarks

Mrs. Teiko Sarba  gave the closing remarks. She encouraged all members to come together to make the goals set achievable and provide the requisite guidance for a possible scale up of group care in the future.