Safe Motherhood in Nepal
www.safemotherhood.org.np
Developed by Support to the Safe Motherhood Programme (SSMP), this website provides information about the maternal and newborn health situation in Nepal. From January 2005 to June 2010, SSMP worked with national and international partners, including the Nepal government, implementing a variety of programmes to make motherhood safer for all women across the country and to ensure the health and survival of their babies. Research and evaluation reports, policy information and other working documents can be found in the resources section, and website addresses for other organisations active in Nepal are listed in the contacts section.
SSMP was funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID, now known as UK AID), based on an agreement signed with the Government of Nepal in October 2004. It was managed by the UK company Options Consultancy, with in country support from the Nepal based Organisation Development Centre (ODC).
SSMP was uniquely designed to work directly with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in Nepal, supporting the national Safe Motherhood Programme through an integrated mix of direct financial aid and technical assistance. The programme followed and built on the DFID funded Nepal Safer Motherhood Project (NSMP), 1997-2004. SSMP/Options technical advisers were based in the Department of Health Services (DoHS) working closely with government colleagues on central policy and planning issues. Five implementation partners managed different programme activities in a total of 19 districts, working with local NGO and government partners.
This new brochure provides an end of programme summary of SSMP achievements and learning in the key areas of evidence based policy development, health service strengthening and equity and access.
As part of our dissemination of learning, SSMP/ Options has produced a series of 20 Topical Briefings, designed to give an accessible summary of key programme issues and activities. Each briefing provides a summary of background to the topic and why it is important, outline of activities and achievements, and recommendations for taking these forward in the future to address remaining challenges.
The SSMP/ Options team and partners produced this resource pack to inform policy decision makers and act as a resource for any individual or organisation wishing to advocate with these key power holders. It consists of a folder with information about the importance of safe motherhood and tips on how to be a successful advocate on the inside page, plus six inserts, each focusing on a critical safe motherhood topic. The topics are: (1) human resources; (2) 24-hour local safe delivery services; (3) the motherhood protection bill; (4) gender and social inclusion; (5) access to services; and (6) financial management. Each insert provides simple background information and “killer facts” about the issue; outlines the major challenges and key stakeholders involved and suggests actions to be taken in support of advocacy.
