PHILIPSBURG--On the occasion of Mother and Child Health Month, which is celebrated by Rotary International in June, Rotary Club of St. Maarten took the initiative to partner with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA to start a Mother and Child Health promotion campaign.
The campaign’s purpose is to promote women’s health-seeking behaviour by providing them with a road map through “Health Care and Medical Land.” The campaign was launched during the Club’s weekly meeting at its clubhouse.
The first product of the campaign is a brochure that was put together with technical input from the Department of Collective Prevention Services. The aim of the brochure is to guide expecting mothers through the health care land – from visiting their local pharmacy to visiting the gynaecologist and/or paediatrician – during the time span from pregnancy to childbirth.
Club President Henna Budhrani said at the introduction that every child deserves a good start and that starts with a healthy mother. She thanked Service Projects Co-Chairperson Agnes Kapoor for making this initiative a reality and stressed that this is a Club commitment that goes beyond her presidency.
President-Elect John Caputo underscored and confirmed this belief and expressed his commitment to the Mother and Child Health promotion campaign.
The brochure was presented to Minister of Health Emil Lee during the launch. He complimented the Club on this initiative and confirmed his Ministry’s full support. In his address he said he is a strong believer in public-private partnerships and sees the role of civil society organisations such as Rotary Club of St. Maarten to create awareness and promote health behaviour.
“I endorsed the flyer and look forward to follow-up activities and events,” Minister Lee said in closing.
Also in attendance for the launch of the brochure were Collective Prevention Services head Virginia Asin and Pharmacy Association President Dick Luttekes.
The brochures will be distributed in pharmacies, medical clinics, White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation, the Baby Clinic and all relevant health care institutions. The organisers hope to reach the wider (female) population in St. Maarten through collaboration with different partners and stakeholders.
