Maternal Health Support
July 2024
SPOTLIGHT
📅 Date: July 26, 2024
📍 Location: Port-Bouët, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
On July 26, 2024, the Kia Yusuf Foundation carried out a maternal health support activity in Port-Bouët, Abidjan, focused on providing essential resources to women receiving postpartum care.
The activity took place at the Sainte Anne Medical-Social Center (Caritas), a healthcare facility serving women and families in the Port-Bouët district. Support was coordinated in collaboration with the facility to ensure assistance was provided to women receiving care through established maternal and postnatal services.
Maternal care kits were distributed within the facility as part of this coordinated effort. The kits addressed common, immediate needs identified during the postpartum period and were provided in a structured medical setting to women already receiving care following childbirth.
Each maternal care kit included basic items for newborns and mothers, selected to support daily care needs during the first weeks after childbirth.
Items included in each kit:
- Baby clothing
- Socks
- Light blankets
- diapers
- Baby wipes
- Mild baby soap
- Postpartum sanitary pads
- Basic personal hygiene items
- Nutritional supplements commonly used during postnatal recovery
Alongside the distribution of supplies, routine guidance related to newborn care, breastfeeding, and maternal recovery was shared during standard interactions between mothers and healthcare providers.
Hospital leadership noted that access to essential non-clinical supplies alongside medical care can help support comfort and dignity during the postpartum period, particularly for families managing recovery while preparing to care for a newborn.
Women receiving the kits shared that having access to these materials helped ease immediate practical concerns during the days following childbirth. Health staff observed that addressing everyday needs alongside clinical services supported a more comprehensive approach to maternal care.
