Vision

All children born with optimal health to healthy mothers, and into families where they are wanted and nurtured.

Mission

To minimise illness and death among mothers and their children.

Overview

The Maternal & Child Health Unit (MCH) has its roots in the early Community Health Services that provided health care to pregnant women and their children. The unit was established in September 1992, in response to the WHO Global Strategy of health for all by the year 2000 (1977), which encouraged increased emphasis on maternal and child health services.

MCH is responsible for the development and co-ordination of the health services for women, and their children. Its broad scope encompasses all the divisions, facilities and arenas that help to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the maternal and child health population.

MCH is administered by the National Maternal and Child Health Care Co-ordinator, under the direction of and in collaboration with a Maternal Consultant and a Paediatric Consultant. The technical arm of the programme is the Maternal and Child Health Technical Advisory Group (MCH-TAG) which is responsible for policy formulation and establishment of guidelines. The MCH-TAG is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, assisted by the Director of Public Health. The body is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of, the MCH Coordinator, the Child Health Consultant, obstetric and gynaecology, paediatrics and neo-natology Heads of Department and executive and administrative staff.

There are 7 subsets of the Maternal & Child Health Unit:

1. Adolescent Health Programme
2. School Health Programme
3. Expanded Programme on Immunization
4. Reproductive Health and Family Planning- Male Health Initiative
5. ParentCraft Programme
6. Lactation Management
7. Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit (SCAN)

Health services are provided to the MCH population which includes all women of reproductive age, all pregnant women, infants, children, adolescents and their families, via a network of healthcare facilities, clinics, programmes and home visits.

Objectives

1. To reduce illness and death among target groups of maternal, prenatal, neonatal infant and preschool populations.
2. To reduce illness, death and health risks in children and adolescents.
3. To establish a reproductive health and family planning programme that facilitates the adoption of responsible sexual behaviour, reproductive patterns and parenting.

Charged with the responsibility for promoting and improving the health of the nations’ women, children and families, MCH provides a a focal point for maternal and child health services at the national and community level. Major initiatives developed to accomplish its mission include:

• Formation of a Technical Advisory Committee for the reduction of infant mortality, 1994
• Breastfeeding Initiative, 1993
• PACE: Adolescent Health Services for pregnant teenagers, 1993
• Introduction of the Simplified Perinatal Clinical Record, 1997
• Reproductive Health and Family Planning Programme, 1997
• Adolescent Health Resource Centre, 1988
• Male Health Initiative, 1995
• Midwifery Team Care Programme, 1998
• Neonatal Resuscitation Programme
• Revised Parenting Programme, 2003
• Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Programme, 1999
• Neuro-Developmental Clinic

Co-ordinator :Mrs. Gina Dean

Gina Dean became a Registered Nurse in 1980 and a Registered Midwife in 1986. She later became a Community Health Nurse (CHN) in 1991 and finally obtained a Master's Degree in Health Administration in 2002.

Dean has held varied nursing posts at the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. Following her completion of the CHN Programme in 1991, she began her career with the Department of Public Health.

Dean was promoted to Nursing Officer II in 1996 and Nursing Officer I in 2000. Her work experience includes assignments with School Health Services and in numerous clinics throughout the Family Islands.

In 2001, Dean was assigned to the South Beach Health Centre as the Nurse Manager - she maintained that post until September 2004, when she was further requested to co-ordinate the Maternal & Child Health Programme.

For more information, please contact:

Maternal and Child Health Unit
The Department of Public Health
Poncianna Hill Building, Meeting Street
P. O. Box N-3730
Nassau, N.P.
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 502-4835
Fax.(242) 502-4874
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays