SUMA
(Rajasthan
Surakshit
Matritava
Gathbandhan)
SUMA – Rajasthan White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood was initiated by
CHETNA in February 2002. It aims to create awareness, action and advocacy for
reduction of high maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.
Efforts Made by SUMA….
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Build capacities of ten community based organizations to
participate in the international conference on Safe Motherhood.
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Transcreated and published “Saving Mother’s Lives” in
Hindi. This guide book was developed by White Ribbon Alliance-India.
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Build capacities of 102 field workers in seven districts of
Rajasthan to implement five best practices- verbal autopsy of maternal deaths;
focused ante natal care; dai training; post natal care and birth preparedness
and complication readiness.
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Campaigned in 29 of the 32 districts of Rajasthan on Role
of Families in saving mothers’ lives, ensuring continuum of care and women’s
access to health services.
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Organized discussion with 60 MLAs and ministers on the
issue of safe motherhood.
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Organized media workshops on the issue of Safe Motherhood.
Coverage on maternal health enhanced in three leading state level dailies and
20 local news papers.
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Supported medical and health officers of 10 districts for
identifying appropriate centres to provide Skilled Birth Attendant training to
ANMs.
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Assessed 226 sub centres of 26 PHCs in 10 districts of
Rajasthan on the Indian Public Health Standards.
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Conducted dialogue with 4000 community stake holders on
skilled assistance at birth.
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Organized dialogues on state levels issues such as Role of
Panchayti Raj, Role of Dais and Strategies for Safe Motherhood in Desert
Region, etc.
Current efforts
During Jan 2008- August 2009, SUMA plans to implement an awareness and advocacy
initiative with five partners: Seva Mandir (Udaipur), JATAN (Rajsamand), Hadoti
Hasta Shilpa Sansthan (Kota), Gram Vikas Navyuvak Mandal (Tonk) and Public
Education Development Organization (Mada, Dungarpur). Plans have been made to
organize a total of 2500 women to form Safe Motherhood (SUMA) groups and work
with 100 elected representatives and 5 MLAs of five districts.
