The Hanan Mother and Child Health Care Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), held  closing ceremonies in Gaza  City on Tuesday and in Ramallah on Wednesday to celebrate its successes and thank its partners. Approximately 200 people attended the combined events, including representatives from USAID, the Palestinian National Authority Ministry of Health, non-government organizations, UNRWA, private agencies and practitioners, and community groups working for the health sector.

For the past three years, 26 Palestinian organizations have worked through USAID’s Hanan Project to promote better maternal and child care practices and nutrition, and improve access to quality health services for Palestinian women and children.

Training and other activities took place in all 16 governorates in the West Bank and Gaza, in cooperation with 122 clinics and hospitals, 113 communities, 69 community health workers and 68 community organizations.

Over 391,000 women and children participated in these activities, and an additional 1,304,187 women and children received improved quality services from over 4000 professional and lay health providers trained by Hanan and its partners.

As a result of USAID’s Hanan project, many pregnant women are now safeguarding their health and the health of their babies by taking iron supplements that prevent anemia. They also know the danger signs associated with pregnancy and when to seek medical help. Mothers have learned to seek important health care service soon after labor and know to give only breast milk to their infants for the first six months of life. In addition, Palestinian mothers now have better knowledge of how best to introduce other foods and fluids to their infants for their optimal health.

Children’s health is also protected, as their mothers can recognize the danger signs associated with serious illnesses affecting children, and know to seek treatment for their children.

Through national and local media campaigns, including radio plays, children’s activity books, and educational booklets, Hanan communicated key health messages to women and children. In a study to understand the effects of these campaigns, it appears that nearly half of all respondents recalled at least one maternal, child health and nutrition activity and one in four adopted a practice that might include antenatal care, postnatal care, breast feeding and children’s health care. Also, out of the 15,000 children, who received a Hanan’s activity book on health practices, 40% of them and their mothers adopted a new practice promoted in the book.

“Hanan made me feel like there is someone interested in my children and me. I felt responsible for myself and my family. Women in every house heard Hanan’s health messages through the campaign and home visits,” said a mother from Deir Ghazalah in Jenin, who participated in the activity.