Pre-Conception Counseling
Spirituality and Religiosity in Effective Healthcare Delivery Reform
Be a Part Of
METTA Dāna Foundation: Transforming Maternal Health Through Faith
Did you know a mother dies every two minutes during childbirth? This heartbreaking reality is especially acute in countries like India and Bangladesh. At METTA Dāna Foundation (MDF), we see a powerful solution: harnessing the influence of religious leaders.
Kazis and Imams are trusted voices in their communities. By empowering them with vital health education, we can transform them into advocates for maternal and child health. Imagine faith leaders promoting family planning and safe childbirth practices—potentially preventing one-third of maternal deaths!
Guided by Prof. A K Azad Khan, MDF is pioneering an initiative to train these leaders in counseling and community engagement. Together, we’ll create support networks and spread essential healthcare information, bridging the gap to healthier families.
Let’s change the narrative! By combining spiritual guidance with healthcare advocacy, we can foster a culture of wellness. Join us in this mission to uplift mothers and children, ensuring a healthier future for all.
Method of Approach - METTA Dāna Foundation
At METTA Dāna Foundation, our innovative approach unites key stakeholders to promote maternal health:
- Newly Married Couples: Engaging them on the day of the Nikaah.
- Religious Leaders (Kazis): Influencing community attitudes towards health.
- Health Service Providers: Physicians, nurses, and educators delivering care.
- Civil Society Members: Advocating for health policies with relevant ministries.
In this initial phase, we focus on:
- Identifying a dedicated field force.
- Creating culturally and religiously appropriate teaching materials.
- Developing a comprehensive curriculum for training religious leaders.
Curriculum Highlights
The curriculum will cover:
- Pre-conception and family planning
- Diabetes and hypertension management
- Psychological aspects of maternal health
- Risk factors and anthropometric measurements
- Proper screening methods and early detection of GDM and other NCDs
- Lifestyle counseling and immunization
- Referral criteria for advanced care
Service Delivery Model
To ensure effective service delivery, we will:
- Establish pre-conception counseling services at designated clinics under selected mosques.
- Train religious leaders to conduct these counseling sessions and discuss NCD prevention.
- Implement a mobile helpline for antenatal care support.
Together, we can foster a healthier future for mothers and children in our communities!
- Too young: Delay your first pregnancy until at least 18 years old
- Too old: Limit pregnancies to a mother’s healthiest years, ages 22–34, beyond 35 not preferable.
- Too close: Wait at least 2 years after childbirth before attempting another pregnancy
- Too soon: Wait at least 6 months after a miscarriage/abortion before attempting another