Maternal and Child Health (MCH)

Latest Updates

SWAN has been working in rural communities of Nepal for more than a decade to improve Maternal and Child Health Care Services. Currently, SWAN has been doing a baseline survey in Achham and Bajura districts of Nepal.

Ministry of Health & Population report 2022 and several other reports suggests that Achham and Bajura districts requires significant interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes throughout the region. Both districts are the least developed districts in terms of the overall Human Development Index.

The primary objective of our baseline survey in Achham and Bajura is to assess the following:

1. Local Birthing Center infrastructure including: staff availability and training, appropriate functional medical equipment, adequate building support
2. Access to and capacity of referral centers (including PHCC and District Hospitals) for maternal and newborn care.
3. Current status of maternal and newborn health in this region

Four SWAN staffs are conducting a thorough baseline survey with standardized questionnaires that include key variables. On April 1st, a survey was initiated, which will run through September 2023. SWAN will conduct a survey of all health institutions and the majority of households in the Achham and Bajura districts.

Global Envirotech Initiative (GEI) will be the funding partner and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) will be the technical partner, whereas SWAN Nepal will be the implementing partner for this project.

History

SWAN has set an example – by partnering with One Heart Worldwide to implement NSWN (Network of Safety Model for Women and Newborns), a five-year project in Baglung district from 2010 to 2015. The project focused on reinforcing the capacity of birthing centers through the provision of quality equipment and essential trainings to health workers – resulting to increase in institutional deliveries and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.

Yet, the remote regions of Nepal such as Humla still faces a multitude of issues like highest maternal and newborn mortality rates with little or no access to maternity health care services in nearby health facilities. SWAN, thus, continues on its mission to improve maternal and child health outcomes throughout Humla region. SWAN launched Maternal and Child Health (MCH), a two-year project in the Namkha Rural Municipality of Humla from 2018 to 2020 in partnership with Global Partners for Child Health, and University of Utah, Center for Medical Innovations, Global Programs. SWAN-supported birthing centers include Khagaalgau, Kermi, Muchu, Hepka, and Limi. Learn more.

Likewise, SWAN has expanded MCH project (II Phase) in the Sarkegad Rural Municipality of Humla, from 2020 to 2022. In this phase, SWAN supported six health facilities (Gothi, Saya, Rodikote, Barai, Ripa, and Zayir). Read more.

How do we help through the MCH project?

– Supply essential birthing center equipment
– Provide training/skills to health workers
– Conduct community outreach events
– Work in close collaboration with the local government

-Monitoring & evaluation.

Review & Social  Audit Programme in Simikot, Humla

SWAN Nepal concluded the five-year-long “Maternal and Child Health Project” on June 1, 2023 in the presence of key stakeholders amid a function in Simikot, Humla. The event saw the attendance of health workers, female community health volunteers and local leaders from both project areas – Namkha and Sarkegad Rural Municipality, Humla. Read the reflection on the review meeting.

This life-saving “maternal and child health project” would not have been possible without the support of SWAN Deutschland e.V. People of Humla, particularly women, are really grateful to receive support from SWAN. In addition, the local government has applauded the efforts made by SWAN Nepal and Germany in the reduction of maternal and neonatal deaths in Humla. To conclude, rural communities have now understood the value of well-equipped birthing centres, trained health workers, and assisted deliveries in the local health facilities. SWAN believes that we have been able to improve maternal and child health outcomes through sustainable interventions in the low-resource settings of Humla district.  Learn More.