Monitoring quality of care in the WHO Africa Region-a study design for measurement and tracking, towards UHC attainment

This paper reports on the design of a study to generate a quality of care index for countries in the World Health Organization Africa Region.Quality of care, for all people at all times, remains pivotal to the advancement of the 2030 agenda and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. We present a study protocol for deriving a quality of care index, hinged on indicators and data elements currently monitored through routine information systems and institutionalized facility assessments in the World Health Organization Africa Region.This paper seeks to offer more insight into options in the Region for strengthening monitoring processes of quality of care, as a step towards generating empirical evidence which can galvanize action towards an improved care process.The methodology proposed in this study design has broad implications for policymaking and priority setting for countries, emphasizing the need for robust empirical measures to understand the functionality of health systems for the delivery of quality essential services. Application of this protocol will guide policymaking, as countries work to increasingly improve quality of care and adopt policies that will best facilitate their advancement towards Universal Health Coverage.