Our very own MCHIP Malawi team shared an insightful analysis on how through targeting the community, we can see an uptake in mothers using maternal health services.

In Malawi, community outreach efforts to increase awareness and use of maternal and newborn health services can lead to more mothers receiving care and the prevention of newborn deaths. In many instances,   pregnant mothers delay seeking treatment, have difficulty reaching a heath facility or must wait to receive care once they arrive- all of which contribute to the likelihood the mothers and newborn may not survive. The first two delays occur at the community level where cultural beliefs and harmful maternal and newborn practices are widespread. Many mothers and newborns can be saved when communities; including their leaders and males who often serve as gatekeepers to success know what to do.

This presentation looked at the significant role that a community maternal and newborn health package plays through health surveillance assistants and community action groups.

Click here to read more about how it does indeed take a community to save lives.

Presented by Anna Chinombo
Prepared by Anna Chinombo; Fannie Kachale, Tambudzai Rashidi and Aleisha Rozario