Improving maternal, neonatal and infant and child health in the Kolda region

Context

The Kolda region is one of the Senegalese regions with the worst health indicators.  Maternal and infant mortality rates are well above the national averages. These ratios are explained by geographical and financial barriers (55% of the population is located more than 5 km (3.10 miles) from the nearest health facility, 53% of households in Kolda are below the poverty line), there is a low level of equipment for health facilities and health coverage ratios in terms of qualified staff and infrastructure fall below the national standards. The low level of health provision in the region leads to a lack of treatment, particularly with regard to high-impact interventions in maternal, neonatal and infant health, which further exacerbates the inequalities in access to healthcare for women and young children (0-5 years).

This project falls within the framework of SDG 3: "Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages", in particular with regard to targets 3.1 "By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births" and 3.2 "By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births".

Project owner

African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Monaco.

Overall objective

Help reduce maternal, neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality in Kolda region, by strengthening access to high quality services in maternal, newborn and infant health through the development of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system.

Specific objectives

• Deploy a regional technological system for digital training and educational materials that are adapted to the training priorities of targeted healthcare personnel
• Strengthen the skills of health care providers and community players
• Generate demand for services (communication and awareness-raising at the community level)
• Strengthen facilities at service delivery points and improve services for pregnant women, mothers and children aged 0-5

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries:

• 6,500 pregnant women and women of reproductive age (per year)
• 29,000 children aged 0 to 5 and their mothers

Indirect beneficiaries:

• 50 health care providers working in the Kolda regional hospital and in the targeted health centres and health posts
• 3 community-based organisations and 75 community support networks

Anticipated outcomes

• 20% of expected pregnancies in Kolda region (approximately 6,900 pregnancies each year) registered and monitored in the ICT system
• 25% of children under 5 years of age in Kolda region (approximately 31,000 children each year) registered and monitored in the ICT system
• 95% of pregnant women registered in the system (approximately 6,500 women each year) give birth in facilities with the assistance of qualified personnel
• 95% of children under 5 years of age (approximately 29,000 children each year) registered in the system receive essential newborn care, growth monitoring and adequate vaccination coverage
• About 95% of children under 5 years of age (approximately 29,000 children each year) registered in the system receive regular monitoring of psychomotor development stages and early detection of deficiencies and malformations.