Mother and Child Healthcare

AMAR TARGETS MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AS THE MOST UNDERSERVED AND HARDEST TO REACH PART OF ANY POPULATION GROUP. PROVIDING HEALTHCARE TO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IS A PRIORITY THROUGHOUT ALL OF AMAR’S PROJECTS.

AMAR provides specialised maternal help and care for the under-fives. It ensures that all of its healthcare projects target pregnant women, mothers and children with check-ups, vaccinations and health education. AMAR’s Primary Healthcare Centres have a designated mother and child doctor that, where possible, is a woman to allow female patients the comfort of speaking with a doctor of the same sex, particularly on issues of puberty, reproduction and childcare.

“A woman regularly visited by Women Health Volunteers (WHVs) began to give birth while her husband was away on a trip. It was a difficult birth and she was bleeding heavily but refused to go to a health centre with the WHV because her husband was not there to give permission or to help.

Following this case, WHVs held a meeting with women in the community and discovered that this was common practice if a husband is not present. Neighbours may not know how to help or may be afraid to try. WHVs are now working with the community and Primary Healthcare Centre staff to change attitudes and overcome logistical barriers to transferring birthing mothers to the PHCC in the absence of their husbands.”

– Women Health Volunteer