Start Date: 2013
End date: 2016
Location: Makwanpur District
Partner: Plan Nepal
Context
Problems related to maternal and newborn health and disability are very high in Nepal, especially in rural areas. In Makwanpur, mortality rates of neonates, infants and mother are higher than the national average. In different Nepali cultures, disability is still viewed as a sin of the previous life, and hence a shame to the family, which often results in concealing the family members from society and denying them a dignified life.
What we are doing
We teamed up with child health division of the District Health Office, Makwanpur and Plan Makwanpur for a project to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality rates as well as the incidence and severity of disabilities through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The project has been working with both government and community structures to improve maternal and newborn child health and health care for disabled people.
Changes observed
People of 12 VDCs have not only become aware about health care for mothers, newborns and people with disability but also made public commitment to do their part to ensure good health care. Also, 231 Pregnant Women Groups (PWGs) have been formed and mobilized. PWG manual has been developed and its implementation in other districts is being advocated with family health division. Thanks to the joint effort of National Federation of Disability Network (NFDN), National Disability Association (NDA) and COSAN, 26 disabled people have been able to move in wheel chairs. Owing to the district campaign for Polio, people have become aware of the disease and its prevention.