Objective:

To present the results of a joint initiative to improve the quality of maternal and child health care in 36 Colombian townships.

Methodology:

The main results of a public health initiative implemented between 2012 and 2015 in 36 municipalities are included. Its approach was systemic and included four components: 1) Elaboration and monitoring of health care quality improvement plans for maternal and child health services based on local needs, involving municipal / departmental key actors; 2) periodic review of medical records to indirectly evaluate the quality of services; 3) continuous training, technical assistance and support, and 4) periodic feedback of results to the health system institutions.

Results:

This initiative stimulated the improvement of mother and child health care quality in the participating municipalities, and possibly affected the reduction of the maternal mortality rate in various territories. Successes and problems in the management of the health services of the participating institutions’ healthcare service management.

Discussion:

Despite the territorial differences and multiple internal and external factors affecting quality of health care services the proposed approach can be implemented in territories with different contexts. Positive changes in most territories showed that success and sustainability of actions are possible, even in complex environments, but it is necessary to apply the proposed methodology the judiciously and to have creativity to formulate local solutions.

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