'Make Every Child Count' (MECC) Cambodia
Vision
The MECC project has:
- operated in remote communities with the highest death rates
- up-skilled local health professionals such as midwives
- developed leadership skills
- promoted good maternal and infant health practices
It was a cooperative project with the Cambodian government, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and local community.
The project seeks to address detrimental social exclusion, inequality and vulnerability in the rural poor in Cambodia.
Background
In Cambodia, maternity-related complications are one of
the leading causes of death among women ages 15 to 49. 80% of deaths are preventable.
These include:
- Complications during labour: obstructive labour/severe bleeding
- Infection, usually after childbirth
- High blood pressure during pregnancy: pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
- Poor health: malnutrition, anaemia
- Malaria and AIDS
Initiative
Dr Gan of the Rotary Club of Glen Waverley therefore founded
the Make Every Child Count Foundation (MECC) to deliver the humanitarian aid,
which is so urgently required.The concept of MECC is now being taken up by other Rotary Clubs in this remote and disadvantaged area.