Service in Action

By Azka Asif, Rotary Service and Engagement Staff 

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where nearly half of all mothers and newborns do not receive care during and after birth. The leading causes of death for children under 5 are birth complications, pneumonia, birth asphyxia, diarrhea and malaria. These deaths can be prevented and treated with access to healthcare services.*

Healthcare before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, addresses all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines.*

Rotary members are working diligently towards this goal through projects that provide education, immunizations, birth kits, mobile health clinics, and much more. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease. Here are just a few examples of Rotary projects that are saving mothers and children:

• Rotary clubs in the Philippines are implementing the Cradle of Hope project which provides cradle boxes for newborn babies. Each box contains postpartum care materials and newborn supplies such as grooming and healthcare kits, and clothing for babies up to 9 months of age.
• The Rotary Club of Accra East in Ghana conducted a community-wide medical outreach program. More than 300 members of the community, including many women and children, benefited from health screenings and received necessary medical supplies.
• The Rotary Club of Dhaka North in Bangladesh assists pregnant women who cannot afford the cost of delivery by providing no cost surgeries and other necessary medicine during emergencies.
• After learning about high mortality rates in India, Past Rotary International Director Ken Collins organized a vocational training team consisting of two gynecologists and two midwives. The team traveled with him from Australia to Raipur, India, to train local health workers on best obstetrical practices aimed at reducing the high mortality rate of mothers and babies due to childbirth.
• In Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Calabar South-CB partnered with the Rotaract Club of Canaan City CB to educate mothers on how to combat infant mortality, and promote the health of both mother and child during and after birth. Rotary members donated materials to help nursing mothers and babies including diapers, detergents, toilet papers, and baby soaps.

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Throughout the month of April, Rotary Maternal and Child Health Month, take action to support mothers and children. Read more stories about maternal and child health to gain inspiration for club and district service projects. Post your club’s project on Rotary Showcase, find a project to support on Rotary Ideas, or join the conversation in My Rotary’s discussion groups!

*http://www.who.int
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org

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Related: 

• Read how the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development (RFPD) is saving mothers and baby 
• Read how Calmed Vocational Training Teams are addressing maternal and child health