Maternal and child health programs

Suku Hadomi Inan no Oan - (desa siaga)

The Maternal and Child Health team launched a new pilot program in December 2007 with the Ministry of Health.  Suku Hadomi Inan no Oan (SHIO) which literally means “Village loves its women and children” is based on the successful Desa Siega “Alert Village” model in Indonesia. Three sukus Mota-Ulun, Tibar and Guiso in Liquicia district were selected after a participatory process with District Health Administrators and Suku Chiefs.

The program raises awareness of the potential dangers of pregnancy and birth for women, encouraging health seeking behaviours for antenatal check up and delivery.  Success relies on the commitment of the village and the collaboration of local health staff to implement “action” networks selected by the community. 1. Information/Notification (which includes information giving about family planning options); 2. community fundraising; 3. transportation ; 4. blood group testing network. (in the event of an emergency transferal to a facility, appropriate family members accompany the woman in an ambulance.)

The program coincides with the Ministry of Health’s launch of its community volunteer network and birth registration program.  Great challenges remain as over 90% of women give birth at home without a skilled attendant. Women feel comfortable at home so it is challenging to convince women that a health facility or a skilled birth attendant can help save the lives. 
The community networks register pregnant women, promote antenatal care, flag women with danger signs, develop a birth plan, and an emergency plan. The fundraising and transportation networks secure resources for rapid transfer to a facility or to collect the midwife.  The community also identify any barriers.  Already there is local advocacy for improved midwife facilities and better road access to isolated communities. 

The pilot project is an exciting one for the MCH team and Marcel Levi, the facilitator from Flores, Indonesia remarked that the community demonstrated impressive levels of commitment to the project.  He is confident that despite the challenges there will be formidable improvements in the health and well being of women and newborns in this district. 

Conoco-Phillips staff attend the launch of SHIO in Liquica district