The American Red Cross (ARC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have established a five-year partnership in the implementation of IMCI at the community level with the goal of improving the health status of vulnerable populations in ten Latin American and Caribbean nations. This partnership, in coordination with other international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGO), will contribute to reducing infant mortality rates to reach the Healthy Children: Goal 2002.
This alliance maximizes the comparative advantage of the Red Cross organizational structure, network and voluntary nature while enhancing sustainable linkages with Ministries of Health (MOH) and NGOs. PAHO is providing technical expertise to strengthen social mobilization, prevention and promotion practices, training, and monitoring and evaluation. The ARC is facilitating this process with Red Cross National Societies, enabling staff members to increase technical capacities to manage integrated health services in their communities with the aim to reinforce and sustain family and community practices at the district level. Community projects are based on need, local Red Cross capacity, infant and child mortality rates (>40 deaths per 1,000 live births) and MOH guidance. Based on community needs assessments, projects are developed to empower communities with knowledge and skills to learn about prevention of common childhood diseases, recognition of illness, and overall care for healthy as well as sick children. This presentation will also describe the regional Healthy Children: Goal 2002 initiative to reduce 100,000 deaths in children less than five years of age by 2002, and strategies for implementing 16 key family practices.
See www.redcross.org & www.paho.orgLearning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1) Identify effective family and community practices within the IMCI strategy and the regional Healthy Children: Goal 2002 initiative; 2) Describe IMCI community needs assessment tool and coordination mechanisms at the local and national levels; and 3) Discuss strategies for implementing WHO/UNICEF 16 key family practices.
Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Community Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Red Cross (ARC) and Pan American Health Organization/Word Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.