Baby on board! Women in remote Lesotho communities receive prenatal support

Lesotho, a tiny country landlocked by South Africa, faces many healthcare challenges in the rural areas. The country’s mountainous terrain and limited transportation also make healthcare delivery, particularly maternal and childcare services, extremely difficult. Despite these obstacles, a collaborative project between PWRDF and Partners in Health Lesotho is transforming the lives of pregnant women and their babies. This initiative provides financial incentives, support, and care to pregnant women, encouraging early antenatal care, alleviating social stigma, and ensuring a supportive environment for mothers.

Since 2020, PWRDF has been supporting Partners in Health Lesotho in their work to strengthen primary care, especially for new moms and babies. In the past year, the project trained Village Health Workers on maternal and child health topics, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify pregnant women and promote antenatal care. PIH Lesotho has also conducted outreach clinics, reaching 965 women and 578 men with healthcare services, including immunization and pregnancy testing.

The organization has provided prenatal care to pregnant women, with 80 women attending their first ANC appointment and 53 attending their fourth ANC appointment. To encourage women to seek prenatal care, the project provides funds to pay them, approximately $20 during their first three months, and again during their fourth session. Completing the eighth prenatal visit entitles them to receive a new baby starter pack, which includes a onesie, a baby blanket, a top and diapers. The aim is for these women to spread the word about the benefits of early ANC attendance to their peers, encouraging more women to seek timely care.

During their stay at maternal waiting homes, women receive essential toiletries, ensuring they can maintain personal hygiene and dignity. These toiletries include towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash, lotion. These sets help alleviate social stigmas that might otherwise deter women from attending their prenatal appointments. The incentive strategy has expanded the reach of the Bobete Health Centre, attracting women from outside its catchment area.

PIH Lesotho provides transportation for women in emergencies, ensuring they can get to the hospital in a timely manner. Additionally, pregnant women receive bed, blankets, mattresses, sheets, food and clothes washing basins. PIH Lesotho assists the Bobete maternity clinic by providing babies with a warm and nurturing start in life.

Palesa Khomonngoe-Moea, Bobete Health Centre Site Director, shares the program’s transformative impact. “The financial incentives and support provided to pregnant women are not just about money or supplies; they are about giving women the confidence to seek care early and consistently.” Maatisang Ts’oaeli, a woman receiving care at the clinic, emphasizes the critical aid in terms of food and proximity to medical care. “The maternal waiting home ensures we have nutritious meals, which is vital for our health and the health of our babies.”

Partners In Health Lesotho’s efforts are crucial in addressing the healthcare challenges in Lesotho, particularly for women and infants.