A Health Talk on Post Natal Care and Immunization

Childhood is a significant stage of life and deprivation during this period can have a long-term adverse impact on the wellbeing of children. Reduction in infant and child morality is likely the most important of the millennium development goals, as children are the most important assets of a nation. Childhood mortality is one of the important indicators of a country’s general medical and public health conditions, and consequently, the country’s level of socio-economic development. Its decline is therefore not only desirable but also indicative of an improvement in general living standards.

mMitra is a free mobile voice call service that provides culturally appropriate comprehensive information on preventive care and simple interventions to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in urban India. The voice calls are in the local dialect, specific to the women’s gestational age or the age of the infant and are sent weekly/twice a week free of cost directly to pregnant women and mothers with infants. Women in the community are enrolled by the sakhis. The women who come for their antenatal check up to the municipal or government hospitals are enrolled by the health supervisors. The women are enrolled for the service through partnership with NGOs, Govt Hosp, Maternity homes and ICDS workers. Clinically tested, individualized voice calls of 90-120 seconds (145 voice calls in all) in Hindi or Marathi are sent directly to the mobile phones of each enrolled woman. mMitra seeks to become a household name so that every pregnant woman can have a safe and healthy motherhood.

Mumbai Smiles is one of the partner organizations and thus enables mMitra to reach out to potential beneficiaries. Recently, Mumbai Smiles, in partnership with BMC, organized the first ‘Health Talk’ on Post-natal Care & Immunization in Balwadi No 24 at Suryanagar, Vikhroli on April 30, 2015. Ms. Smita Gawde, Program Officer, mMitra, Mumbai Smiles briefly spoke about Mumbai Smiles work in the areas of Health, Education & Livelihoods. A team of health care professionals from BMC was present along with Mumbai Smiles Program staff. Public Health Nurse, ANM spoke about need for regular immunization, importance of Breast Feeding and nutrition. Doubts of nursing mothers regarding immunization & breast feeding were also cleared.

The informative talk was followed by distribution of nutritional supplement among women and children below 5 years.