USAID launches two more Schools of Motherhood in Armenia
armradio.am
09.03.2009 16:30
To celebrate International Women’s Day, USAID’s Project NOVA launched
two new Schools of Motherhood as a special gift to pregnant women of
Abovyan and Vanadzor. International Women’s Day, commemorated at the
United Nations and designated in many countries as a national holiday,
provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward
equality, to assess the challenges facing women in contemporary
societies and to consider future steps to empower women.
On March 9th the newly-established Schools of Motherhood welcomed their
new clients ` pregnant women and their husbands ` at the Abovyan and
Martuni Maternity Houses. This initiative was made possible thanks to
the fruitful partnership established between the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Health and local
healthcare facilities. The initiative started a year ago with the
opening of five Schools of Motherhood in Vedi Maternity Hospital,
Sisian Medical Center, Talin Medical Center, Vayk Medical Union and the
Institute of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Yerevan. Soon
after the openings, Schools of Motherhood became popular not only among
pregnant women who were eager to learn about their pregnancy and
childbirth, but also among healthcare workers who used Schools of
Motherhood to better prepare mothers-to-be for the birth event and
newborn care.
During five classes offered to pregnant women free of charge as part of
the Government’s Basic Benefits Package, the Schools of Motherhood
provide psychosocial support, physical and psychological preparedness
for childbirth and promote healthy lifestyle, breastfeeding, proper
postpartum and newborn care. Through School attendance, pregnant women
acquire practical knowledge and skills on important topics for the
pregnancy and postpartum period. Future fathers are highly encouraged
to participate in the classes in order to better understand pregnancy
and childbirth and be supportive of their spouses. All Schools are
decorated with award-winning artwork created by local children
depicting happy families. USAID Project NOVA plans to open a total of
11 Schools of Motherhood ` one for each marz and one in the capital.
USAID Project NOVA is currently working in Armenia to improve the
quality of and access to maternal and child healthcare, especially in
rural areas, by improving the performance of healthcare workers,
providing basic clinical equipment and supplies, renovating healthcare
facilities, and mobilizing and educating communities. It is implemented
by a consortium of international organizations ` Emerging Markets
Group, IntraHealth International and Save the Children in close
partnership with the Ministry of Health, marz health departments,
Medical University, leading medical colleges, National Institute of
Health, and healthcare facilities.