Intervida collaborates to reduce maternal mortality in Nicaragua, a country where one death occurs every two days
Madrid (18/06/2008). INTERVIDA supports the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua in strengthening health services in the most disadvantaged areas, with special interest in all aspects of maternal health. The aim is none other than to help to reduce the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes, both during and after childbirth. In Nicaragua, this translates to one death every two days, according to data from the United Nations.
Maternal mortality primarily affects poor women, who are characterized by high levels of illiteracy and as living in rural areas, often with difficult access. Increasing access to health systems and institutional birthing is a challenge in both marginal urban areas and rural areas, although particularly difficult in the latter. In Nicaragua, community health systems and networks, formed by brigades, midwives and other community volunteers supported by health authorities, are extremely important. These people undertake their efforts in the so-called “Basic Health Centers”. INTERVIDA currently supports the strengthening of 21 of these centers in the municipalities of Jinotega and San Rafael del Norte and another 13 in District VI, one of the five districts of the capital city of Managua.
These services function in community buildings or the homes of the volunteer brigade members, who are trained in health issues to provide basic attention to the members of the community. These are responsible for detecting health problem, give advice on illnesses which can be treated at home, monitor children’s height and weight, advise mothers on nutrition and vaccination, as well as for referring those cases requiring further attention to health units or specialists. There also exists “Birth Plan”, an effort to provide care and monitoring to pregnant women, advising them on signs of risk during pregnancy, birth and puerperium, the importance of breast feeding during the first six months of life, and how to care for newborns, among other things. Currently, in addition to attending the general population, the 34 “Basic Health Centers” are providing services to more than 1,100 women (mothers and expecting) and children under 2 years old.
“Birth Plan” is an institutional strategy whose objective is safe maternity through the organized and active participation of the mothers, the families and the communities. As an additional strengthening activity, this year so-called “Mother’s Clubs” are being established in ten communities in the municipality of Jinotega. These clubs will involve monthly meetings to address themes of interest to mothers on pregnancy, maternity, childcare and family planning, among others.
Another interesting activity, “Maternity House”, is also being carried out in Jinotega to strengthen the support given to pregnant women. This home is a reference for the department’s either municipalities, housing women with at-risk pregnancies and who lack either the familiar or economic support to manage their situation. This service provides them with the attention and care needed up until childbirth, at which time they are referred to the hospital to be attended.
INTERVIDA has been collaborating with the Ministry of Health since 2006 to strengthen those strategies and activities mentioned with the aim of guaranteeing heath care to the members of those communities where the NGO is active.
About INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in several countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
Share: