Posted by Dr. Roberta Howlett
Area Coordinator for Maternal/Child Health for District 6330

 
 
December is Family Month
Maternal & Child Health Rotary International Priorities Maternal and child health is one of five priority areas identified by Rotary International for Rotary development initiatives. Theses priority topics also align with some of the Millennium Development Goals articulated by the WHO. Maternal and child health interfaces closely with the other four priorities: 1) promoting peace 2) fighting disease and poverty 3) providing clean water and 4) supporting education.  All five areas of focus relate to the need for a healthy population in a safe and healthy community to ensure optimal development of all. 
 
 
 
How Do These Areas Relate?                                                                                                                                                               
In conflict areas, women & children are frequently innocent victims of dispute, warfare and at times have to relocate, especially in areas where women do not have equal rights. Disruption to family life is unimaginable. Quality of life improves for individuals and families if the burden of disease is reduced through public health programs that provide access to trained health care professionals, immunization and other preventative care. Ready access to clean water and improved sanitation can not only reduce disease, but also means that women and children can engage in activities other than hauling water by hand over long distances. Women and mothers can be more productive and children can attend school if clean water sources are close to homes, schools and community locations.      
                                                        
What Are Some of the Issues?                                                                                                                                                              
Morbidity and mortality among mothers and child are major challenges in developing countries. One of the most critical aspects that contributes to high rates of mortality and morbidity relates to reproduction-namely, health outcomes during pregnancy, labour, delivery and after the birth of a child.                                                                                                                                                   
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most dangerous place in the world to have a baby. In Europe the lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy is one in 3,300: in Africa, the lifetime risk is an astonishingly one in 40. Furthermore, young women are more likely to have complications during pregnancy and delivery. In many developing countries, there is a higher likelihood of pregnancy among young teens. Up to 800 women die each day related to complications in pregnancy & childbirth. Among children, 6.3 million under the age of five years died in 2013; this translates to nearly 17,000 every day. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with access to clean water and sanitation facilities, adequate health facilities and professionals, immunization programs and medicines to treat disease. Each year, seven million children under the age of five die due to malnutrition, poor health care and inadequate sanitation.                                                                                                                                   
What Can Your Club Do?                                                                                                                                                                      
Every effort can make a difference. Identify an area of focus that is important to your club and start fund raising, networking and partnering with other Rotary Clubs-here in the District, across Canada and in developing countries. Partnering with reputable international agencies that have resources on the ground can facilitate quality implementation of programs that can be evaluated. Some examples include: 
                                                                    
* providing immunization & antibiotics 
* promoting good nutrition 
* preventing maternal/child transmission of HIV/AIDS
* improving access to prenatal care-provide birthing kits                                                                           
* supporting accredited training of health care providers                                                                       
* improving knowledge about reproductive health through community education & access to health facilities and care providers.
                                                                                                                       
Yours in Rotary Service                                                                                                                                                                        
R I Howlett, PhD                                                                                                  
Area Coordinator for Maternal/Child Health                                       
District 6330