Maternal and child health

The health of mothers and children is the foundation of every community's future. Mothers face risks in childbirth every day, and millions of children under five die from causes that can be prevented or treated — malnutrition, inadequate health care and poor sanitation.

Rotary's goal is clear: to make high-quality health care available to mothers and children so they live longer, stronger lives with a brighter future.

A core principle is empowering local communities to take ownership of health care programmes, which is what makes them last. Rotarians do not prescribe solutions; they work with communities to identify barriers and develop answers that are culturally and socially appropriate.

Activities

• Providing access to health care — mobile clinics, immunisation campaigns, health education programmes
• Training doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers
• Supplying essential materials and equipment — clean birth kits, neonatal incubators, medical supplies
• Education on preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, breastfeeding, nutrition and hygiene
• Combining maternal and child health work with clean water and sanitation

Examples

In Nigeria, Rotarians work with the health ministry to improve prenatal care; in Uruguay, dedicated breastfeeding spaces were created in childcare centres; in India, awareness campaigns about menstrual hygiene have helped normalise a stigmatised subject.