14,845
Families reached
(2016-2022)
Addressing health and nutrition challenges among mothers and children through a continuum of care approach
Govandi, Mankhurd, M/E ward (Mumbai)
We believe that integrated delivery of health interventions across the life-cycle can address poor health in low-resource communities. Our community centres act as a resource center to offer various health, nutrition and safety services to women and children through a single, community-level access point.
These centres serve as a base for our staff to interface regularly with the community to influence their health seeking behaviour through home-visits, community events and workshops on topics related to maternal and child health and nutrition as well as domestic violence.
Families reached
(2016-2022)
Reduction in stunting
among children from 0-2 years
(from 37% to 27%) (2019-2022)
Reduction in maternal anaemia
(from 44% to 34%)
(2019-2022)
It can be overwhelming for mothers to learn about and keep track of best practices in pregnancy-related activities. We have learned that small interventions like raising awareness of services and regular health follow-ups can improve health outcomes for both mother and child.
Nishi*, a first-time pregnant woman was moderately anaemic when a SNEHA Community Organiser (CO) first evaluated her health reports. The CO introduced Nishi to a government health worker, who prescribed Nishi iron supplements and iron rich foods. They continued to converse with Nishi through her pregnancy and helped her access the regular government supplied food (PDS rations). Nishi’s iron levels slowly normalised.
Nishi delivered normally, but her baby was underweight.
She received support in accessing immunisations, iron supplements, and take-home government rations for mothers and children less than 6 years.
The CO and government health worker visited her weekly to monitor breastfeeding and to identify postnatal danger signs. The support proved significant as the infant gained the requisite weight.
*Name changed