Our Maternal and Child Care program aims to support the health of pregnant women and unborn children, and also support parents of infants and young children. According to W.H.O., maternal and child health services can be defined as “promoting, preventing, therapeutic or rehabilitation facility or care for the mother and child.” Thus terming both health and essential services important to the development of the mother and child.
There are certain risks involved in maternal health that the public need to be educated on. Maternity risk is defined as the probability of dying or experiencing serious injury as a result of pregnancy or childbirth. Antenatal care is important to pregnant women because it helps them get educated on how to care for the baby. Antenatal also helps to promote, protect and maintain good health during the pregnancy duration. A well balanced diet is important, personal hygiene and so on. Various aspects of pregnancy and delivery are key to discuss with the mother. Family planning is a subject that is also worth discussing with the mother so that she is aware of child spacing.
After the baby is born, the mother needs care to avoid getting into postpartum related depression. Visits to postnatal are important because of the progress of the baby. For all this to be effective, the community needs knowledge and information to help reduce maternal health risks, child births, unplanned pregnancies, child mortalities due to lack of knowledge of the importance of both antenatal and postnatal care and so many other hindering issues that can be prevented.
Why is Maternal and Child Care Important?
Pregnancy can provide an opportunity to identify existing health risks in women and to prevent future health problems for women and their children. These health risks may include:
- Hypertension and heart disease
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Intimate partner violence
- Genetic conditions
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Tobacco, alcohol, and substance use
- Inadequate nutrition
- Unhealthy weight
KAWAC offers the following maternal and child care services:
- Education
- Public Awareness
- Advocacy
