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Program of Primary Health Care

Program of Primary Health Care

The Program for the Promotion of Primary Health Care strongly believes that women have a central role to play both in the family and in the nation.

Partnering with ECI since 2015, PPSSP supports efforts to reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates in the Kamango region of North Kivu province.

As PPSSP Director Micheline Sikuli explains, “we found that home births were among the main causes for the high maternal and infant mortality rates in Kamango, and traditional birth attendants played a big role in this custom. With ECI we have worked closely with traditional birth attendants who now participate actively in all aspects of our project; from defining the problem to evaluating the results.”

Mastaki, one of the women who have been able to benefit from the project, was no longer able to give birth following multiple complications from childbirth, including fistula. With PPSSP she finally received the medical assistance she needed to heal. Today, Mastaki is a leader in her community, informing others of the importance of maternal and post-natal health practices in her village Kikingi:

“I used to be looked down upon by my family because of my health issues. Today I am known in my village and people count on me. I am feeling part of a community again.”

In partnership with ECI and Theo Chocolate, PPSPP has also launched a Maternal Mortality Reduction program in Watalinga to educate women in cocoa-farming communities about the benefits of regular pre- and post-natal check ups, and of giving birth in a hospital.

After less than one year of working in six of the 13 health zones, PPSSP contributed to the elimination of maternal and newborn deaths in these health zones, bringing the figure from 45 maternal-and childhood deaths to zero.

As a result of PPSSP’s work, nearly 4,500 cocoa farmers have learned about family planning, 665 families have saved money for health-care costs, and over 60 children were born in hospitals.

In 2016, PPSSP will work to facilitate the access and use of reproductive health services for women and girls in Watalinga. This project will provide safe birth kits for nearly 400 women and will train health care staff in how to promote family planning.

PPSPP will also establish Village, Savings & Loans Associations in six of the 13 health areas to help women save money so that they have the financial means to cover maternal healthcare costs.

Watch this video to learn more about ECI’s partnership with Theo Chocolate and PPSSP: 

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