This September HealthBridge joined the International Nepal Fellowship in Banke District, Nepal to visit villages involved in the Saving lives of mothers and children in Nepal and Vietnam project.

The team traveled to several areas within Banke District to meet with local health workers, including Female Community Health Volunteers, health officials and partners. While in Banke District, the team also had the opportuntity to witness health workers in action to improve access to health and nutrition for mothers and children.

Highlights of the visit included:

• Visiting an outreach clinic that provides much-needed immunizations, growth monitoring and family planning services;
• Meeting with Female Community Health Volunteers, who work at the forefront to provide health and nutrition information to women and children;
• Attending a mothers group meeting with pregnant women and new mothers to discuss care and nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding;
• Watching Youth Clubs perform a simple skit to raise awareness about health and nutrition issues that impact their communities.

HealthBridge was pleased to be able to witness the project first-hand and see the incredible work of local health workers and our partners to improve the health of mothers and children. We look forward to seeing continuing success throughout the duration of the project.

The Saving lives of mothers and children in Nepal and Vietnam project is being implemented in nine wards across the Narainapur and Raptisonari Rural Municipalities of Banke District to a population of 71,471. Banke District falls behind on most indicators of mortality and access to health services. The region has an Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate that are twelve times and twenty-five times higher than Canada’s national averages, respectively. The project aims to reduce preventable illness and death for mothers and children. The project launched in April 2016.