Every day, 6,400 newborns and 800 women succumb to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. This staggering reality underscores One Heart Worldwide's mission, as they strive to save lives and enhance the well-being of mothers and newborns in rural Nepal. The envisioned outcome? A health system emanating from the heart of the community, ensuring quality care for all.
Driven by their commitment to achieve the Global Goals, One Heart Worldwide strategically aligns its initiatives with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, as they endeavor to transform maternal and neonatal healthcare across Nepal.
One Heart Worldwide's endeavor is clear: to save lives and enhance the well-being of expectant mothers and their newborns in the underserved corners of rural Nepal. The visionary aspiration? A partnership with local authorities, a co-created, community-led health system that ensures equitable access to quality care for every mother and newborn, transcending geographic boundaries.
Built on a deep understanding of sustainable integration, this initiative stands as a model for intertwining quality Maternal and Newborn Healthcare (MNH) services with the intricacies of local culture and challenging remote environments, often exposed to natural disasters. Collaborating with local governments and leveraging community networks, the organization strengthens public MNH infrastructure, forming a Network of Safety. This continuum of care expands secure deliveries and improves the local health system's reach and quality. The core of their self-sustaining approach is to bridge gaps in rural MNH service delivery, ensuring quality care for all mothers and newborns, regardless of location.
With a steadfast focus on Sustainable Development Goals, One Heart Worldwide dedicates six years per district to partner with local entities, augment government health facilities, enhance local health providers' skills, and empower communities. Their pioneering Network of Safety model engages local stakeholders, enabling pregnant women and newborns to access skilled medical care.
The organization collaborates with the Government of Nepal and local communities, facilitated by a team of Nepali health professionals and a US-based technical team. The result of this six-year journey is a fully operational MNH system in each district, equipped with trained Skilled Birth Attendants, functional birthing centers, and empowered Community Health Volunteers. This locally anchored approach paints a transformed maternal and neonatal healthcare landscape across Nepal, reflecting an intricate tapestry of change in action.
Since 2010, One Heart Worldwide has radiated its influence throughout 32 districts of Nepal, touching over a million lives. In their tireless commitment, they showcase how civil society can stand as a global force for change, weaving its progress seamlessly into the aspirations of a global society aiming for brighter horizons and sustainable development.
Youtube credits: @OneHeartWW
More information: oneheartworldwide.org