By Lusayo Banda, Communications Manager, MOMENTUM Tikweze Umoyo

At 2:30 PM on a scorching Thursday afternoon, Efrida Mwale, a 24-year-old mother from Kasungu, Malawi, walks to Linyagwa Health Centre for a routine checkup. Located more than 50 kilometers from Kasungu town, Linyagwa Health Centre serves as the primary healthcare facility for the residents surrounding Kasungu National Park. Efrida’s journey to motherhood has been challenging, but today, there’s a newfound sense of ease in her steps.

Once inside, the nurses welcome Efrida with efficiency and warmth, swiftly conducting a malaria test as part of her checkup. Yet this seamless experience hasn’t always been the reality for expectant mothers like Efrida. In the past, the rigid schedule of antenatal care (ANC) visits posed significant obstacles, especially for those in need of urgent medical attention outside of their designated visit days.

Efrida’s first pregnancy three years ago was fraught with challenges, including difficulties adhering to the prescribed ANC visit schedule. The long distance often left her too tired to walk to the hospital, leading to missed ANC appointments and crucial interventions like preventive malaria treatment for pregnant women (intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women-IPTp).

For many expectant mothers, missing an ANC date meant waiting another month for the next appointment, which significantly contributed to the low uptake of IPTp. This delay not only disrupted their essential maternal healthcare routine but also increased their vulnerability to malaria.

Recognizing the low uptake of IPTp among pregnant women, the MOMENTUM Tikweze Umoyo project collaborated with the health facility staff to address this pressing issue. MOMENTUM facilitated discussions between health facility staff and community leaders to review challenges and develop solutions for increasing ANC attendance and the uptake of IPTp. Additionally, MOMENTUM has been supporting health workers in conducting awareness campaigns to boost the uptake of IPTp.

Thanks to these transformative changes implemented at Linyagwa Health Centre, where over 37,000 individuals receive care, Efrida now experiences a newfound sense of freedom in accessing maternal healthcare. The collaborative efforts spearheaded by MOMENTUM have significantly improved the accessibility and quality of maternal health services.

In the past, ANC visits were confined to specific days, creating barriers for pregnant women like Efrida. To dismantle these barriers, ANC services were integrated throughout the week, ensuring accessibility for all expectant mothers. This simple yet profound change has transformed the landscape of maternal healthcare in Kasungu.

“It’s nice knowing that I can come to the hospital anytime I am not feeling well instead of waiting for my ANC appointment date. I have already received two doses of IPTp and I am scheduled for the third dose next month,” says Efrida.

The impact of these integrated ANC clinics speaks volumes. Increased ANC attendance and IPTp uptake are tangible markers of success. Gertrude Magomero, a Nurse at Linyagwa Health Centre, notes a remarkable improvement in the quality of care. Gone are the days of attending to a limited number of pregnant women on designated visit days. Now, expectant mothers are welcomed daily, leading to better health outcomes and a significant surge in IPTp uptake from 26% in December 2023 to 51% in March 2024.

“We have noted positive changes. We now attend to over 20 pregnant women daily. Pregnant clients start ANC immediately upon confirmation [of pregnancy], instead of telling them to come on a designated day,” shares Gertrude, reflecting on the transformative impact of accessible maternal healthcare.

The success of this initiative goes beyond improved ANC attendance and increased IPTp uptake; it has also enhanced male involvement in maternal health services. The flexibility in clinic days has made it easier for husbands to accompany their wives to ANC visits, thereby strengthening male involvement during pregnancy.

Group Village Headman Chimwala, who was part of the initial discussions to drive this new approach to antenatal care, emphasizes the positive relationship between the community and health facility staff. He notes that this collaborative effort is crucial to this success. Efrida’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of innovation and collaboration in breaking down barriers to healthcare access. As she continues her journey of motherhood with newfound confidence, her experience stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to maternal health and well-being in communities across Kasungu.