Actions lead to achievement

A story of Local Response by Mrs Vandana Worval

Setting:

Village: Vadpe

Taluka: Bhiwandi

State: Maharashtra

Country: India

Situation:

Two deaths (maternal mortality) while accessing services for safe delivery at a facility

Story:

The death of two pregnant women leaves the village in a state of shock. The local women's group approaches FPA India Mumbai branch for support. FPA India takes a step forward, visits the community and discusses the issue and taps the potential of the villagers, appreciating their efforts in earlier instances. FPA India and community initiate ‘Advocacy for Safe Motherhood’.

Intentions

• 1. Awareness

  2. Health entitlements and benefits painted on walls in 10 villages with government chemicals

  3. Phone numbers of referral units with time and the distance from each village is distributed to the stakeholders and the community heads.

  4. The local women's group take a collective responsibility to see that mothers are not anaemic, take proper nutrition and register for institutional delivery.

  5. Support systems in the community lists of family members established.

  6. Public hearing organised and medial persons invited.

Result:

• 1. The local hospital has been taken over by the government and 24/7 services are available.

  2. Under National Rural Health Mission, PHC has been upgraded.

Learnings:

• 1. Tap the potential of the community.

  2. Bring the stakeholders to a common platform and initiate steps.

  3. Follow up on the actions.

  4. Lend support to the community.

  5. Appreciate the community for its achievements and see that the interventions are sustainable.