MaMoni Project

Awarded in 2009, the Integrated Safe Motherhood, Newborn Care, and Family Planning Project (MaMoni) was an associate award under USAID’s global flagship maternal, newborn, and child health program, MCHIP. MaMoni works in the Habiganj and Sylhet districts of Bangladesh, reaching a population of more than 3.5 million. Focused on supporting the Government of Bangladesh’s (GOB’s) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH&FW) Health Population and Nutrition Sector Development Program strategy to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, the project sought the attainment of Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Bangladesh.

Activity Description

Activity Description

MaMoni began working in Sylhet in December 2009, building on the work of the ACCESS project (2006–2009) and Projahmo (2001–2006). ACCESS focused on improving demand for MNH behaviors and services in 7 of the 12 upazilas of Sylhet, largely through NGO-supported community health workers (CHWs) who provided home-based counseling and services and community action groups (CAGs) with linkages to MOH&FW services. ACCESS results showed a rise in demand but limited change in service use, so strengthening systems to improve access to MNH/FP services is a key MaMoni strategy. MaMoni added interventions to increase CAG knowledge about FP and hand washing. The CHWs were also trained on these messages, as well as in counseling and resupplying pills and condoms.

As the project progressed, USAID decided that the health systems strengthening activities would have to go beyond traditional support to address critical issues, such as high vacancy rates of health workers. Since many of the efforts in Sylhet had been in place since 2006 and were largely led by the NGOs, USAID began to phase out these activities and focus the health systems strengthening efforts in Habiganj. Activities in Habiganj began in June 2010 with the same two local NGOs utilizing a different approach than previously. From the outset, MaMoni focused on an integrated approach that would address critical health systems issues, mobilize communities, and engage the Union Parishad (UP) in a coordinated way to improve MNH/FP outcomes. The project conducted an extensive mapping exercise and a health facility assessment (HFA) to understand all the issues. While the project design outlined some areas that MaMoni would address, many of the interventions undertaken, such as facility renovation or hiring temporary staff, were not anticipated at the project’s outset.
 

Expected Outcomes

Expected Outcomes
  • Increased capacity of existing NGO/GOB counselors to provide counseling on FP, handwashing, and basic hygiene

Actual Outcomes

Actual Outcomes
  • The number of union-level facilities without water supply has gone down from 20 in 2010 to 0 by 2013.
  • With MaMoni’s facilitation, UPs contributed resources that directly benefited both clients and service providers. In many instances, UPs built access roads, water supplies, and private toilets in clinics and provided curtains to ensure the privacy and dignity of mothers.
  • 105,575 women reached with handwashing messages
     
Activity
Complete
2009 - 2014
Award Number
388-A-00-09-0104-00
Funding Level
$13,274,000.00
Prime Implementing Partner
Population Focus
Urban
Countries
Implementing Partners