Concerted Efforts in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Mali and Peru

Implement networks of perinatal health and nutrition officers trained adequately to cover all targeted communities. Strengthen the capacities of medical staff in perinatality, women’s rights and interculturality. Equip adequately targeted health centers and set up maternal homes in Peru for women or children with complications. Sensitize the community population on perinatal complications and nutrition. Implement food security projects. Establish vigilance committees in perinatal health favoring better consultation between health centers and targeted communities and to improve the delivery of health services. Increase the number of prenatal visits, institutional deliveries, the rate of nutritious food consumption and the rate of contraceptive use (Peru only). Reduce maternal and infant mortality in targeted areas.

At the intermediate level some data were obtained in Peru only. A slight increase in prenatal follow-up of 4%, institutional deliveries of 6% and contraceptive use by 16% in the district of Megantoni. However, it is difficult to rely on data from the Ministry of Health because record keeping is deficient. At the more immediate level, 575 health workers were trained in Mali and Peru, 60 health professionals in Peru were trained in obstetric and neonatal emergencies as well as in vertical deliveries, women’s rights and interculturality. Health centers in Peru have all been equipped with modern equipment such as portable ultrasound scanners and staff trained in their proper use. 8 nursery houses have been renovated and are in operation (133 women attended them). These homes allow women in remote areas to stay close to health centers with their families, and are nurtured.

In Mali, training for professionals has not started, but the health and maternity centers have received a first batch of equipment. In both countries vigilance committees have been set up in the 12 communities in Mali and the 8 main communities in Peru. This already improves relations between health centers and communities, identifying weaknesses and proposing improvements as was the case in Peru in the vertical delivery rooms that have been set up in health centers. health. In Mali, 63 agricultural cooperatives have been formed and food production activities are well under way. 23 vegetable plots were installed with the production of moringa.

In both countries, more than 10,000 people were sensitized and informed about the complications of pregnancy and healthy nutrition. In Peru, food security projects will soon be completed, including a pilot iron supplement project with the “Lucky Iron Fish”. Training and sensitization on sexual and reproductive health was also conducted in Peru.