Baal Swasthya Project Overview

Project Overviews

Baal Swasthya Project Overview

In Nepal, despite significant progress, maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) remains a critical public health issue. Delays in seeking health care, reaching facilities and receiving quality care contribute to maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Gender inequality and harmful cultural practices, including biases in girls’ education, gender-based violence and gender-based nutritional disparities, further compound MNCH outcomes in Nepal. Enhancing the use of essential MNCH interventions during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period is key to improving the health of mothers and newborns. 

Lutheran World Relief partnered with fellow Corus International organization IMA World Health to implement the Baal Swasthya project. Leveraging IMA World Health’s expertise in MNCH programming, the project is designed to reduce maternal and child mortality through the improved use of evidence-based practices, enhanced capacity of health institutions and increased community awareness. Implemented in five birthing centers of Nepalgunj Sub Metropolitan City in Banke District, the project focuses on two main objectives: raising community awareness about the accessibility and quality of MNCH services at the local level, and strengthening the health system at the ward level to improve the provision of quality MNCH services at birthing centers. 

Targeting marginalized communities, the project conducts MNCH advocacy seminars. These seminars bring together health care providers, religious leaders, community elders and other influential leaders to counter MNCH-related misinformation and enhance community stakeholder engagement in bolstering access to and utilization of evidence-based healthcare services. Additionally, community members are equipped with vital information regarding health care access, including details on MNCH facilities, referral systems and service availability. Antenatal care (ANC) groups were also established to improve targeted messaging for key demographic segments while also providing support for tracking provider visits and institutional deliveries.  

Baal Swasthya strengthens the local health system by supporting the capacity of health workers and reducing barriers to quality MNCH service delivery. Health care professionals and community health workers received training in providing psychosocial support, delivering compassionate care, and managing complications related to childbirth. They also receive sensitization training on how gender discrimination affects the health and wellbeing of both mother and child.  

The project is also piloting an intervention package called E-MOTIVE that supports early and accurate detection of postpartum hemorrhage. This is facilitated by a low-cost drape that can measure blood loss and is complemented by a treatment bundle that helps providers take timely actions to save lives. 

Lutheran World Relief has worked in Nepal since 2009, championing gender equity in the development and implementation of programs that improve the well-being of families and create linkages along value chains to benefit smallholder farmers. By operating with IMA World Health as part of the Corus International family of organizations, Lutheran World Relief is advancing interventions in maternal and child health as well as in livelihoods strengthening, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance.

Download Now May 10, 2024