To address this issue, the Karra Society initiated the establishment of quality referral services for obstetric and infant healthcare facilities in 320 villages of six blocks in the Kunti district. The project's objective is to create a pool of village health volunteers with awareness regarding reproductive and child health, increase safe births by facilitating institutional deliveries, and encourage community ownership by establishing a call center in each block for instant access to referrals.
To help this initiative achieve its goals, the Society has engaged in community mobilization for health by strengthening Self Help Groups (SHGs), creating a health fund to be used in case of emergencies, establishing a call center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in each block, and providing transport vehicles for all villages networked to facilitate quick referrals. Furthermore, trainings are conducted for Traditional Birth Attendants, SHGs and Sahiyya (individuals who educate pregnant women in rural areas). Awareness sessions are also conducted for future mothers on proper precautions to take during pregnancy.
As the program helps deliver government maternal and child health programs, the government has decided to partner with the Karra Society and UNICEF to support the design and development of this model. In 2009, about 1354 patients utilized the Society's services and 769 were referred to higher levels of care.
The model appears to be able to successfully control maternal and infant deaths in the region, documenting about 2 maternal and 12 neonatal deaths since it began operations.
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