Reducing Maternal and Infant mortality through community empowerment, initiatives and participation.

Extremely high maternal and newborn mortality is observed in the Adivasi-dominated Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district in Odisha, India. Some of the contributing factors include:

·         Lack of awareness on the importance of antenatal(before-birth) care

·         Lack of availability and accessibility of good quality antenatal care services

·         Lack of transportation facilities and infrastructure

·         Low levels of literacy

·         Gross poverty- 97% live below poverty line.

·         Dysfunctional and unorganized community based institutions and schemes.

1. Training traditional birth attendants and mid-wives to detect high risk pregnancies and subsequently impart basic heath awareness and precautions during pregnancy and lactation period.
2. Training mid-level health volunteers or 'Swasthya Sathis' within the community to assist primary health practitioners.
3. Community based participatory learning and action.
4. Nutritional support to pregnant mothers and infants in grassroot level antenatal clinics.
5. Regular attendance of high quality doctors, nurses and paramedics of the organization, reaching out to previously inaccessible locations.
6. Educating and empowering adolescent tribal girls on nutrition, sexual and reproductive health.

1. Reduction in maternal deaths and newborn deaths.

2. Improved nutrition levels of pregnant mothers.

3. Early detection of high risk pregnancy and adequate referrals to .

4. Reduction in high-risk home deliveries.

5. Awareness and collective responsibility amongst the community for antenatal care. 

6. Regular checkups of at least 80% of the pregnant women at antenatal clinics during pregnancy.