PROPOSED MATCHING GRANT PROJECT
BY
THE ROTARY CLUB OF PORT HARCOURT GRA
R. I. DISTRICT 9140, PORT HARCOURT,
NIGERIA
FOR
THE 8TH WEST AFRICAN PROJECT FAIR
LAGOS, NIGERIA
OCTOBER 2012
PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR THE PROVISION OF MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE IN ABONNEMA TOWN IN AKUKU TORU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.
SUMMARY:
A woman in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth, compared to a 1 in 4,000 risk in a developing country.
The direct causes of maternal mortality in communities in Rivers State, Nigeria are:
Haemorrhage
Infection
Obstructed labour
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
Injuries to pelvic muscles caused by untrained traditional birth attendants.
Injuries to organs or the spinal cord
Poor maternal health and nutrition
Quality of care at delivery and during the newborn period
Due to poverty, illiteracy and sometimes traditional religious beliefs, pregnant women have additional complications from:
Malaria
Anaemia, which increases the risk for maternal and infant mortality and developmental problems
Untreated hypertensive disorders leading to death and disability.
Nutritional deficiencies which can contribute to low birth weight and birth defects as well.
HIV infections which have led to many children being tragically left motherless each year. These children are 10 times more likely to die within two years of their mothers' death.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
Our team of Rotarians went into the rural town of Abonnema in Akuku Toru LGA of 'Rivers State, Nigeria for a needs assessment. Abonnema is a large but rural town of over 20 communities with a total population of over 455,000 people. Out of 100 women aged 15 - 40, 30 do not have pre or post natal care.
According to the rural hospital there, maternal mortality rate is high. The rural hospital is not sufficiently staffed or equipped to meet the demands of the community. Some of the rural dwellers do not take advantage of the existing facilities. Investigation by our team has shown this has remained the case due principally to the following reasons:
Illiteracy
Ignorance
Poverty
Traditional beliefs
PROJECT GOAL:
A majority of these deaths and disabilities in Abonnema are preventable, being mainly due to insufficient care during pregnancy and delivery.
The goal of our intervention is to reduce maternal and child mortality by 50% in a year. Furthermore our Rotary club aims to improve the standard of the health of children less than 5 years.
SPECIFIC NEEDS:
Access to skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth and the first month after delivery is key to saving these women's lives - and those of their children. With advocacy, technical help and training we can help this local community of over 455,000 people provide information to women and their families on:
1. PROJECT INVOLVES:
Equipment
Provision of essential equipment like:
Delivery beds
Foetal monitors
Incubators
Suction machines
Vacuum extractors
Oxygen, masks and probes
Scales
Micronutrients/pre-natal drugs
2. ADVOCACY:
A. EDUCATION:
Educating the women of child bearing age regarding the importance of:
Pre-natal care at the hospitals and health centres.
Intensive education on hygiene and sanitation.
Danger of self-medication with unsafe herbal remedies.
Healthy eating.
Dangers of traditional practices like female circumcision.
Importance of tetanus immunizations for pregnant women ( since this bacterial disease is a killer resulting from unhygienic and unsafe childbirth delivery practices.
B. INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON:
signs of pregnancy
possible complications
birth spacing
timing and limiting
nutrition and health
improving the nutritional status of pregnant women
anti-malarial therapy and insecticide-treated bed nets
micronutrients to stave off anaemia and birth defects
C. DRAMA PRESENTATION, ROLE PLAYS AND RALLIES:
Education of the women population on issues of hygiene, sanitation, registering and attending pre-natal clinics
Education of the men on responsibilities to their wives
Ensuring that quality emergency obstetric care is available.
3. TRAINING:
Training support for maternity staff
Training on use of equipment
Education and integration of Traditional Birth Attendants in areas of hygiene and sanitation, emergency response to potentially dangerous situations.
Discouraging administration of dangerous herbal remedies to pregnant women and new born babies.
4. PROVISION OF BED NETS AND PRE- NATAL SUPPLEMENTS:
Provision of pre-natal supplements to prevent possible birth defects and anaemia.
Insecticide-treated bed nets
5. ROTARIAN INVOLVEMENT:
Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA believes that this community is desirous to protect the mothers and children from needless death and harm. An intervention will be beneficial to them because of all the lives that will be changed by it.
Rotarians will be directly involved in facilitating community relations. They will take charge of supervising and directing activities throughout the project period. They will work alongside the community members to clean the hospital and clear areas with stagnant water. They will directly handle the enlightenment programme by adequately utilizing all the human capital in our club. They will help arrange adequate media coverage at the point of handing over of the project
6. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
The community members will help to provide labour to assist. They will also help with haulage. The community leaders will take charge of all local publicity concerning the project. The community will continue to assist with their volunteer efforts in teaching the residents of the community. The young men and women-will work with us to clean and be part of the enlightenment/language translation team. We will train a group for continuing education on?
7. PROJECT COST:
S/No
Description
Qty Unit cost ($) Total cost
($)
Remarks
1 Locally constructed Delivery beds 2 420 840 Locally made beds are cheaper
2 Foetal Monitors 2 220 440
3 Scales 2 115 230
4 Incubators 1 3,350 3,350
5 Suction Machines 2 240 480
6 Vacuum Extractors 1 1,100 1,100
7 Information Leaflets 3 sets of 3000 300 900
8 Posters 300 300
9 Dramas and Role Plays 300 300
10 Micro-Nutrients 1,000 1,000
11 Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets 100 15 1,500
12 Logistics, handover and media 600
Total 11,040
8. PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
The project will be managed by the director community service who will be supervised by the club's 5-man project implementation committee. The committee will ensure that all quality equipment is procured and delivered as well as ensure the entire project is completed on time according to plans. They will also ensure timely reporting, accountability of all funds and documentation of all expenditure made on the project.
9. IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:
The project is expected to be completed within 5 months of availability of funds.
10. PRAYER:
The Rotary club of Port Harcourt GRA is seeking to collaborate with International partner clubs. Our club will be pleased to receive positive responses from interested international partners.
11. PRIMARY HOST CONTACT PERSONS:
NAME ADDRESS E-MAIL TELEPHONE
1 Virginia Major 172, Victoria Street, Port Harcourt capricasrx@yahoo.com
08033165841
2 Mediline Tador 22, Emeyal Str., GRA, Port Harcourt. medilinetj@yahoo.com
08033101427
3 Arthur Kalagbor 200 Aba Road, Port Harcourt. arthurkalagbor@yahoo.com
08065036347 | 
