Why?
The purpose of this project is to improve the health of new-borns and infants, and increase and develop the utilisation of better health care for women, infants, and mothers in all stages of the birth process. Guatemala ranks third in North American for mother morality rates and first among Central American countries for infants deaths in the first month after birth, with many of these death due to preventable causes, adversely affecting women in rural areas where poverty is high. The project takes place in the San Marcos Department, where poverty is acute and manly live in rural areas where access to health services is difficult, in the Tejutla and Comitancillo municipalities.
What?
The Red Cross Netherlands applies a community-based approach to seeking to improve health conditions surrounding birth. Hygiene, family planning, safe delivery and other relevant topics are discussed through educational sessions on responsible parenting with male and female adolescents and adults, support groups for pregnant women, and training individuals in communities, such as midwives, in infant and maternal health.
Who?
The projects targets infants, new-borns, and mothers, but also has a wider audience of the communities.