Project Duration
2006 - 2008
Overview
Support to the Safe Motherhood Programme (SSMP) was a 5-year DFID-funded programme that worked directly with the Government of Nepal Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to sustain the National Safe Motherhood Programme. Managed by Options UK, SSMP focused on improving the policy environment and systems for delivering and improving access to maternal health care especially for poor and socially excluded women. CCP’s role as a partner with SSMP was to provide technical support in health communication, both for the Government through the National Health Education, Information, and Communication Center (NHEICC), and for other SSMP implementing partners, including Action Aid Nepal, United Mission to Nepal and UNICEF. CCP focused on strengthening capacity in strategic communication planning, networking, implementation, and monitoring, and developing media and materials for the program. All program activities were in line with the National Safe Motherhood IEC Strategy.
Accomplishments
CCP conducted national research in Behavior Change Communication and facilitated acceptance of the standard technical content for maternal and neonatal health communication.
Shared guidelines with all government health facilities and NGOs/INGOs working in maternal and newborn health to ensure national consistency in the content of maternal and newborn health messages.
Launched the 26-episode localized radio magazine program 'Aama' ('Mother') from five different FM and regional radio stations in Nepal to raise awareness on maternal and newborn health issues among Nepal's mothers, husbands, and in-laws.
Created guidelines for facilitators for the radio programme, “Life’s Responsibility” and guidebook on Maternal and Newborn Health topics for Non-Formal Educators.
Worked with national and international partners to incorporate global evidence and national experience into key documents, including the revised National Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Long Term Plan (2006-2017); Maternal Incentives for Safe Delivery (2005) and Free Delivery Care (2009).
In target districts, take up of four or more antenatal visits increased from 45% to 60%, and deliveries in a health facility increased from 21% to 40%.
