Improving Maternal and Child Health Services in Saudi Primary Healthcare Centers: Administrative Frameworks and Nursing Implementation

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes over recent decades, yet achieving optimal MCH service delivery in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) requires continued improvement in both administrative systems and nursing implementation. This comprehensive review examines current administrative frameworks and nursing practices for MCH services in Saudi PHCs, identifying challenges and opportunities for enhancement. The analysis reveals that while the Saudi health transformation strategy has established foundational structures for MCH services, implementation gaps persist in several domains: service integration, workforce development, quality monitoring, and information systems. The study identified critical administrative barriers including fragmented governance, inconsistent policy implementation, resource allocation inefficiencies, and limited performance accountability mechanisms. From the nursing perspective, challenges include workforce shortages, uneven competency development, limited decision-making autonomy, and inadequate training in MCH-specific competencies. The paper proposes a comprehensive improvement framework integrating administrative and nursing innovations structured around four key domains: governance optimization, workforce enhancement, service delivery redesign, and quality management advancement. Specific recommendations include developing integrated MCH service pathways, implementing competency-based professional development systems, establishing structured mentorship programs, enhancing interprofessional collaboration through formal coordination mechanisms, strengthening community engagement initiatives, and implementing comprehensive quality monitoring systems. By addressing these interconnected administrative and nursing dimensions simultaneously, Saudi PHCs can significantly advance MCH service quality, accessibility, and effectiveness, ultimately improving health outcomes for mothers and children throughout the Kingdom.