New and Innovative Tools or Approaches. There are various innovative tools and approaches mentioned during the evaluation. First, though XXXX, a strategy developed by the World Health Organisation's Division of Child Health and Development and UNICEF for integrated management of children’s health, has been introduced in over 30 countries (WHO website), the focus has traditionally been on children under the age of 5. The IMCI with a neonatal focus is more innovative, though other countries, like India, have started focusing their IMCI strategies in the under-5 children most at risk: neonates. This project has been considered innovative due to its focus on a population that has not been on the MOH’s radar: newborns. This has translated into policy discussions at the national level regarding health priority setting for this country: putting newborns on the national health agenda. Second, everyone commended or wanted a set of the word-less, laminated picture cards. As a health education tool, it was an ideal choice for this population because: 1) in a low literacy population, the images are understood by all; 2) since there are various native ethnic groups, it is impossible to develop health education materials in all the languages, so these picture cards work for all; 3) these picture cards are bound by topics (ie, newborn danger signs, pregnancy danger signs), so one can focus on one set of cards per session. Some of the images were borrowed from the HLBSS, but adapted by a local illustrator to look like the people in that region, whereas many other images have been developed by the project team based on the IMNCI content and the project’s BCC strategy. Those who had the picture cards spoke highly of them: they felt the messages got across to all. Those who did not have the laminated cards (the CHWs) wanted them for their home visits. Though the funding has limited the printing of this card, it should be prioritized as an innovative health education tool for this population. Third, though interactive and dynamic training techniques are no longer considered “innovative” in the field of public health or adult education, these techniques were innovative for the population in Ucayali. Everyone who attended a training session or workshop commented on the excellent training techniques. The DIRESA authorities requested a training on how to use these techniques in training, and as presented earlier, one said that “the training techniques were an instrument in themselves”. Fourth, again, participatory meth...
