Support health centers in Sindhupalchok district, Nepal, provide better care to mothers and newborns through health education, microfinance training and services.
Why we care: In the mountainous Sindhupalchok district, only 5% of births take place in health facilities, compared with the national average of 20%—resulting in a high number of maternal and neonatal deaths.
How we’re solving this: Help 10 health centers train medical personnel, purchase medicine and medical equipment, and provide health and microfinance education.
Doctors of the World supports health centers in the district provide maternal, neonatal and 24-hour emergency obstetric care to an estimated 5,519 women and newborns per year. This project will help Doctors of the World renovate several health centers and purchase equipment and medicines, such as basic emergency obstetric care equipment, clean delivery kits and stretchers. These will be distributed across health facilities so women can access institutional delivery, especially in the case of obstetric emergencies.
Doctors of the World also uses health education and microfinance training to support women in accessing care. Women meet to discuss reproductive health and then participate in training sessions on microfinance, specifically learning how to access funds in case of an obstetric emergency. Patients discuss sexual and reproductive health concerns, including birth preparedness, delivery and post-partum and family planning, with trained Doctors of the World or partner staff and community facilitators.
The microfinance program encourages community involvement and sustainable access to reproductive care. Funding from this project will help train community health workers to provide financial literacy training to center members on issues, such as managing the household budgets and paying for health care expenses. Women in the group all know each other, which makes it easier to discuss sensitive issues, such as household budgets, the burden of disease and taboos like uterus prolapse.
Doctors of the World allocate NR400,000 (approximately $7,400) per cooperative of 400 women so women can start income generating activities. In addition, another fund exists for the sole purpose of interest-free loans for women in need of emergency obstetrical care.
Photo credit: Stéphane Lehr
Doctors of the World is supported by the Kering Foundation, which combats violence against women and promotes their empowerment. Launched in January 2009, the Foundation supports community-based projects and encourages employee involvement to sustain women’s causes around the world. Through four programmes, it supports local and international NGOs as well as social entrepreneurs, helps raise awareness and establishes joint projects with the Kering brands. In 2012, more than 80,000 women benefited from its support in 16 countries. *In line with PPR’s change of name, the PPR Corporate Foundation for Women’s Dignity and Rights will become the Kering Corporate Foundation, subject to approval at the Foundation’s board meeting on 26 June 2013. www.keringfoundation.org @KeringForWomen