Improving mother and child health and SRH in the Brakna region

Maternal and infant mortality indicators in Mauritania are worrying. To address this, the Mauritanian Ministry of Health implemented a national Health policy prioritising solutions to overcome the challenges of mother-child mortality by improving the availability, accessibility and quality of healthcare provision.

Drawing on its experience supporting the primary healthcare system to operationalise the plan to upscale infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices as part of the Rimanje II project (2020-2023), GRET is continuing its efforts in these zones and expanding nutrition actions to mother and child health (MCH), and sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

The project aims to improve access to and use of good-quality MCH and SRH services in four municipalities in the Brakna region, by strengthening the capacities of healthcare actors at various levels in the health pyramid.

The project plans to boost the MCH and SRH capacities of community relay persons and healthcare staff by training them, equipping them with materials, and providing them with technical assistance for referencing and management of inputs.

It also intends to provide financial and technical support to the Regional Directorate of Health (DRS) for integrated supervision of the structures it manages. The DRS will also receive support for facilitation of sectoral health meetings.

Project objectives

Improve access to, availability, quality and continuum of mother and child health and sexual and reproductive health services at community and primary level.
Improve Brakna DRS governance.

Key project figures

17 healthcare structures, including 39 healthcare staff, will be boosted.
10 basic healthcare units will be supported, under the responsibility of 10 community health officers.
50 community relay persons are trained and supported.
5,000 pregnant women, mothers and children under the age of 2, and 25,000 people participate in discussion groups.