Improve Health for Mothers and Babies in Myanmar

The hard-working team of Karen women coordinating the Health training have been able to successfully provide training sessions and distribute 575 Baby Kits in 7 Districts and one IDP (displacement) camp in Karen state, Myanmar in the last six months.
Among the newborn babies, 304 were female and 271 were male.

Whenever there was opportunity to visit communities safely the community co-ordinators called small groups of women together and did home visits to provide health information.
The main topics covered are:
• Nutrition for mother, baby and family
• Hygiene for mother, baby and family
• Good health and support for women during Pregnancy, Delivery, and Maternity.
Understanding nutrition is particularly valued by the mothers. Many participants reported that they typically consumed only one food group per meal. Sometimes this was due to a lack of food, but sometimes even when more food is available, there is a lack of knowledge about good nutrition especially for pregnant and lactating women.

Many women reported that the training and the baby kits are beneficial not only for babies but for the entire family because the kit made them feel happy to get some practical support while they live in such troubled times.

A 27-year-old mother said:
“This helped me gain valuable knowledge about personal hygiene, nutrition for pregnant women, babies, and maternity. The training was beneficial and encouraged all pregnant women to go to the clinic if possible.”

A 43-year-old mother said:
“In the past, I believed that preparing baby clothes before delivery was not essential, but now I changed my belief, and I understand that being ready and prepared in advance will benefit my newborn.”

In the last six months unrest in the Karen region of Myanmar forced many to flee their homes, particularly in Tanintharyi township. As a result five villages in this township and several neighboring ones have been affected. There are now 600,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Karen areas and many are living in tents and having to endure the rain. It is particularly difficult to get hold of good nutritious foods in the rainy season and food insecurity and nutrition issues have a major impact on the health of pregnant woman, nursing mothers and children.

Local midwives, trained under the Maternal Health program are helping mothers to give birth while they are also fleeing to safety. Some health workers have been arrested while the brave workers who have not, keep safe and work discreetly.

This emphasises the importance of maternal health training and providing baby kits.

One community worker commented “Some mothers cannot breastfeed their baby and the alternative of infant milk powders is unavailable. We are trying to provide for those mothers. and children, who are in emergency need of nutrition and baby milk formula.”

Meanwhile, many young women are joining the network to provide more support. These include graduates of Karen Young Women Leadership School and, at district and township level, a workshop for 50 community workers has been teaching them to improve their skills in writing case studies and story guidelines, thinking and creative skills, group management, evaluation and monitoring.

Thank you for your support to these brave women.