Maternal & Child Health
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH (MCH) PROGRAM
Protecting the Health of Mothers and Children.
What is the Maternal and Child Health Program?
The Maternal and Child Health Program is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of women and children. Focusing primarily on women aged 14-49 during pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period, the program extends its reach to include the health and well-being of newborns and children linked to these mothers. The MCH program aims to ensure optimum health and well-being for women and children. Additionally, the NCDPHA MCH program is responsible for cervical cancer prevention in association with the Non-Communicable Diseases program within the public health sector of NCD.
Key Benefits
- Protecting Maternal Health: Providing comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period, including identification and management of risks like malaria, syphilis, HIV, and pneumonia.
- Ensuring Safe Deliveries: Offering safe and clean birthing spaces staffed by trained midwives, with referral pathways for complicated cases.
- Supporting Postnatal Care: Providing ongoing care for women after childbirth, including assistance for traumatic birthing experiences and family planning services.
- Promoting Child Health: Extending the focus to the health and well-being of newborns and children, ensuring a healthy start to life.
- Cervical Cancer Prevention: Integrating cervical cancer screening and prevention services as part of the comprehensive MCH program.
Services Offered
- Antenatal Care:Comprehensive health assessments and management of pregnancy-related issues, ensuring safe pregnancies.
- Safe Delivery & Birth Care:Access to safe birthing spaces staffed by trained midwives.
- Postnatal Care:Follow-up services for women after childbirth, addressing physical and emotional well-being.
- Family Planning:Counselling and access to family planning services.
- Cervical Cancer Screening:Screening services for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
How to Access Services
The MCH program operates on a facility-based model. Here’s a list of participating clinics and the services they provide:
- Moresby North-West District
- Gerehu Hospital
- Tokarara Clinic
- Hohola Clinic
- Morata Clinic
- Moresby North-East District
- Gordons Clinic
- 9 Mile Clinic
- 6 Mile Clinic
- Moresby South District
- Metoreai Clinic
- Lawes Road Clinic
- Kaugere Clinic
- Badili Clinic
- Pari Clinic
- Vabukori Clinic
*Additional delivery service is available at the Metoreia Health Centre
Resources and Downloads
World Health Organization (WHO):
Maternal and Newborn Health:
https://www.who.int/teams/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-health-and-ageing
Child Health:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/child-health
UNICEF:
Early Childhood Development: