This project contributes to reducing maternal and child mortality amongst vulnerable women and children, including adolescent girls, in targeted underserved remote areas of Bangladesh, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria and Senegal. The project works in these five countries to improve the quality, availability and utilization of essential maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The project also works to strengthen the Canadian public’s understanding of the reasons behind Canada’s global investments in MNCH and SRH. Project activities include: (1) raising awareness of local leaders, role models and various community groups on ongoing MNCH services and positive healthcare practices, including health care-seeking behaviours; (2) training health care providers at community and health facility levels on key MNCH interventions; (3) providing essential medicines and other medical supplies; (4) training health administrators and local health committees on planning, supervision and oversight of health resources and facilities; (5) training health workers and drivers in referring patients requiring more advanced care at specialized facilities and providing health facilities with mobile technology and vehicles to facilitate emergency transportation; and (6) training and mentoring health care staff on improved data collection and reporting to inform local government on health resources and services planning. COVID-19 response activities were also undertaken in four countries (Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal) that include: (1) developing and disseminating gender-integrated messaging related to COVID-19, including on hygiene, infection prevention, social distancing, mental health and MNCH or SRH (including Sexual and Gender-Based Violence prevention); (2) developing and increasing awareness towards unpaid care work issues, including equitable distribution of household roles, responsibilities and resources, and women’s and girls’ decision-making; (3) providing economic support for targeted vulnerable groups negatively affected by lockdown/social distancing such as cash transfers; (4) providing training and personal protective equipment to community-based health care workers; and (5) providing public places and health facilities with safe water, hygiene supplies, health care waste management and small-scale handwashing facilities. Plan International Canada implements this project in partnership with Promundo and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), and with Plan International offices in the project’s 5 targeted countries, local governments, and local NGOs.
