MATERNAL HEALTH CHALLENGE; Nepal
PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED
Misoprostol.
Learn more about the Maternal Health Challenge and how the distribution of Misoprostol, a $3 drug that can prevent maternal deaths from postpartum hemorrhage, could save thousands of lives.
DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION
Maatri aims to prevent the postpartum hemorrhage and curb the maternal deaths by the community-based door to door distribution of misoprostol (a WHO approved low cost uterotonic drug) via Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs).
Nepal has a very high maternal mortality rate of 186 deaths per 100,000 live births about 25% of which has been attributed to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Due to long distances to health facilities, most women die from postpartum hemorrhage in the communities as they try to deliver under the care of unskilled traditional birth attendants. The number of institutional deliveries is woefully low in most parts of Nepal and an estimated two-thirds of women still give birth at home with no skilled birth attendant present.
Maatri’s model seeks to train the FCHVs on PPH and the role of misoprostol in its management. They will then go door-to-door in the communities to provide antenatal counseling and instructions to pregnant women and household decision makers on how to dispense misoprostol. The pilot project will operate in province 6, one of the most rural regions of Nepal.
PILOT AND SCALING GOALS
Directly reach 300 women during the pilot phase
Use 15 trained Female Community Health Volunteer’s (FCHVs) to distribute 300 doses of misoprostol tablets during the pilot phase
Secure an additional $25,000 USD funding within the first three months
FOUNDING TEAM
Dr. Preeti Shakya - CEO & Founder
Bihani Gurung - Field Trainer
Abhishek Shakya - Accounts, Procurement and Logistics Manager
Prithak Shrestha - Communications and Advocacy Officer