Integrated Maternal And Child Health Campaign in Ghana By Georgina Amidu Programme Communication Officer UNICEF/Ghana

1. Integrated Maternal And Child Health Campaign in GhanaByGeorgina AmiduProgramme Communication Officer UNICEF/Ghana 8th April 2008, Dakar - Senegal

2. Outline of Presentation • Introduction • Context of IMCHC in Ghana • Main problems identified • Communication strategies • Key achievements • Key challenges • Lessons Learned • Perspectives for 2008

3. INTRODUCTION • Estimated population of 23Million • U5M of 111/1000 live births (42nd out 191 countries) • Maternal mortality 187/100,000 live births with about 50% of pregnant women accessing supervised delivery

4. Context of IMCHC in Ghana • Interventions not reaching all target populations through routine service delivery • Causes of U5 & maternal mortality & morbidity in Ghana are preventable • Cost-effective interventions available in Ghana • Urgent call to INCREASE COVERAGE to achieve MDGs 4 & 5

5. Package of IMCHC • OPV for children 0-59 months • Deworming children 24-59 months • Vit A supplementation for chn 6-59 months and lactating women within 8wks postpartum • Free ITNs to chn under 12 months and all pregnant women • Free birth registration for chn below 12 months

6. Main Problems Identified • Health workers administered vaccines without telling clients of possible side effects, what to do in such instances etc. • Mothers were not told to continue with routine immunization • Education on how to use ITNs was absent in most centers • Pregnant women/children without ID cards were refused services at some immunization centers

7. Main Problems Cont. • Some women who attended ANC/CWC during the month were confused (not sure if they could still access campaign services • Some women refused to patronise some centers when they heard ITNs were finished • Refusal of some mothers to send older children to centers because they were not captured for ITNs • Some mothers did not attach importance to the activities

8. Communication Strategies Implemented to address some of the issues • Education on all components of the campaign on subsequent days (Gong gong) • Street announcements on coupon system • Gong gong beating to remind all care givers to send their chn to immunisation centers • Volunteers followed up to encourage some care-givers to patronise services (IPC)

9. Key Achievements

10. Key challenges • Cultural/traditional barriers • Lack of commitment by some volunteers & care givers • Late release of funds to regions, districts & sub-districts etc. • Inadequate staff (Partners) • More concentration on service delivery • Late start of social mobilization activities at district/ community levels • Shortage of birth registration forms • Inaccurate target pop. Estimates (micro plans) • Rumours and perceptions

11. Lessons Learned • Involving CBAs e.g GRCS/CMA mother facilitators is rewarding • Patronage/success to a campaign does not rely solely on awareness creation but also dialogue • ITNs as part of campaign package has a lot of challenges (disincentive) • Too much value placed on ITNs by mothers

12. Perspectives for 2008 • Start the social mobilization earlier & involve all relevant groups in communities • Use mass media- Radio,TV street announcement by (ISD)etc • Volunteers for the campaign to be well briefed. (Support with fliers) • Use of community registers for chn U5

13. Perspective for 2008 • Create awareness on campaign at both static and outreach clinics • Community-wide meetings/durbars to explain components of campaign and concerns of community members early before the campaign (drama, PLA)etc • Continue the dialogue on the objectives of campaign with communities

14. Perspectives Cont. • Compose local songs on the campaign at all levels • Gong gong beating in communities • IE & C on the need for caregivers & pregnant women to continue with routine clinics (CWC/ANC)

15. THANK YOU FOR CARING