Improving the health of women and children, and reducing the number preventable deaths around the world are priorities for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). Thanks to $688,881 in financial support from the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), CRWRC will scale up its maternal and child health programs in Malawi and Bangladesh over the next three and a half years.

Improving the health of women and children, and reducing the number preventable deaths around the world are priorities for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). Thanks to $688,881 in financial support from the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), CRWRC will scale up its maternal and child health programs in Malawi and Bangladesh over the next three and a half years.

The funding is part of CIDA’s Muskoka Initiative that was introduced by Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, at the G-8 Summit in June 2010.  This initiative addresses the significant gaps that exist in maternal, newborn, and child health in developing countries.

“Currently, hundreds of thousands of women die during pregnancy or childbirth every year, and nearly nine million children die before reaching the age of five,” said Ida Kaastra-Mutoigo, CRWRC Director. “Many of these deaths can be prevented through community-based health promotion, education and nutrition programs.”

The Muskoka Initiative sets specific targets of preventing the deaths of 1.3 million children and 64,000 mothers over the next five years, and to improve access to modern methods of family planning to 12 million couples.  CRWRC’s programs in Malawi and Bangladesh are part of this larger initiative and will focus on antenatal and post-partum care, safe delivery practices, essential newborn care, malaria prevention, and the promotion of breastfeeding. 

In Bangladesh, CRWRC will train 212 community members including community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants and informal health providers on maternal and newborn care. As well, an emergency health fund will be set up by the community to assist households in paying for transport to health centers and the cost of treatment when emergencies arise.

“In recent years, progress has been made in reducing the number of children under the age of five who are dying in Bangladesh,” said Mutoigo. “However, there is still a high concentration of deaths among newborns.  Improving the availability of maternal and newborn care from community providers is essential for reaching the most marginalized people in remote villages who could not otherwise access health care.” 

In Malawi, CRWRC will focus on reducing the rates of malaria and malnutrition among women and children under the age of five. Malaria is the leading cause of death in children under five in Malawi and nearly 46% of children are stunted in their growth due to poor nutrition. To respond to these needs, CRWRC will train 480 volunteers to visit households and promote improved family practices. In both countries, CRWRC is working closely with the Ministry of Health and health facilities to improve cooperation and referral systems between community health workers and public health facilities.

“Health promotion at the household and community level is a cost-effective way of making a strong impact on health,” explained Mutoigo.  “Simple actions such as sleeping under a mosquito net can greatly reduce the prevalence of malaria, and simple practices such as breastfeeding  and appropriate complimentary feeding can improve infant health.  For families in poverty who cannot access adequate health services, these preventative measures can save lives.”

The CIDA funding and these new programs will begin in October 2011.  The total budget is $918,508. CIDA will fund 75% of the costs, and CRWRC is requesting the remaining funds from individuals and churches in Canada.  The funding from CIDA is conditioned on CRWRC’s ability to raise 25% of the budget from private sources in Canada.  For every $1 you donate, CIDA will contribute $3 to the program. 

Funds for the initiative can only come from Canadian sources.

To make a donation, click here.

Cheques made out to CRWRC can be marked for "Bangladesh/Malawi Maternal and Child Health Programs" and sent to:

CRWRC-Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD
Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8