Maternal and Child Health Programs: Safeguarding the Health of Mothers and Children in Refugee Settings
Introduction/Overview
Maternal and Child Health Programs refer to comprehensive healthcare services designed to address the needs of pregnant women, mothers, and children, particularly in vulnerable populations such as refugees and displaced persons. These services include prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, health education, and nutritional support. For refugee families, access to quality maternal and child health care is critical to ensuring healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and optimal childhood development.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we provide maternal and child health services to ensure the well-being of refugee mothers and their children. Our programs focus on delivering prenatal and postnatal care, offering immunization services, and providing health education to empower mothers with the knowledge and resources they need for healthy pregnancies and child-rearing.
These programs align with international frameworks that prioritize the health of women and children:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being), which aims to reduce maternal mortality and ensure healthy lives for all, including refugees and displaced persons.
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which highlights the importance of maternal and child health services as part of comprehensive healthcare support for refugees.
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966), which guarantees the right to healthcare, including maternal and child health services, for all individuals.
A Vision for Maternal and Child Health
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we envision a world where refugee mothers and children have access to the healthcare services they need to thrive. Our vision is to ensure that refugee families receive the prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric care necessary to promote healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and strong early childhood development.
We believe that providing refugee mothers with access to quality healthcare services is essential to supporting the health and well-being of their children, as well as empowering women to take charge of their reproductive health. By offering regular check-ups, nutritional support, and health education, we aim to promote healthy maternal and child outcomes in refugee populations.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Maternal and Child Health Programs
RefPIC’s maternal and child health programs are designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of refugee mothers and children. Through partnerships with healthcare providers, international organizations, and community groups, we provide access to essential medical care and support services that promote maternal and child health.
Key components of our Maternal and Child Health Programs include:
Prenatal and Postnatal Care: We provide regular prenatal check-ups to monitor the health of both mother and baby, as well as postnatal care to ensure the health of mothers and newborns after delivery.
Immunization Services: RefPIC offers immunization programs for children to protect them from preventable diseases, ensuring they have a healthy start to life.
Nutritional Support: We provide nutritional guidance and support for pregnant women, new mothers, and their children, ensuring that refugee families receive the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Health Education: We offer health education workshops and resources to empower mothers with knowledge about reproductive health, prenatal care, child development, and parenting.
Parenting Workshops: RefPIC organizes workshops that teach refugee mothers about child-rearing practices, family planning, and maternal health, promoting healthy, informed parenting.
Why Maternal and Child Health Programs Matter for Refugees
Refugee mothers and children often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, which can lead to poor maternal and child health outcomes. Without regular prenatal and postnatal care, refugee mothers may face increased risks during pregnancy, while their children may be more susceptible to preventable diseases, malnutrition, and developmental challenges.
RefPIC’s maternal and child health programs address these challenges by ensuring that refugee families receive the medical care, education, and support they need for healthy pregnancies and early childhood development. Access to immunizations, nutritional support, and health education helps protect refugee mothers and their children from illness and provides them with a strong foundation for long-term health and well-being.
For host communities, supporting maternal and child health for refugee families contributes to healthier, more resilient communities and helps promote social cohesion between refugees and local populations.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Maternal and Child Health Services
As refugee populations continue to grow, the need for accessible and comprehensive maternal and child health services becomes even more critical. RefPIC is committed to expanding its maternal and child health programs to reach more refugee families and ensure they receive the care and support they need.
By working with healthcare providers, community organizations, and international stakeholders, we aim to strengthen maternal and child health services in refugee-hosting regions. Our Triple Nexus Approach integrates humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding to create sustainable health systems that support the well-being of refugee families.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in providing maternal and child health services for refugees include:
Providing Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Ensure that refugee mothers have access to regular health check-ups during and after pregnancy to monitor and promote the health of both mother and child.
Delivering Immunization Services: Provide immunization programs for refugee children to protect them from preventable diseases and promote early childhood health.
Offering Nutritional Support: Ensure that refugee mothers and children receive the nutritional guidance and resources they need for healthy development.
Conducting Health Education Workshops: Empower refugee mothers with knowledge about prenatal care, reproductive health, and child development through health education and parenting workshops.
How We Deliver Impact
Prenatal and Postnatal Care: RefPIC provides comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care to refugee mothers, ensuring that they receive the medical attention and support needed for healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries.
Immunization Services: We offer immunization programs that protect refugee children from preventable diseases, helping them build strong immune systems.
Nutritional Support: RefPIC provides nutritional support and education to ensure that refugee mothers and children receive adequate nutrition for healthy growth and development.
Parenting Workshops and Health Education: We conduct workshops that provide refugee mothers with information and resources to promote healthy pregnancies and child-rearing practices.
Who Benefits
Mothers and Children: Refugee mothers and children benefit from access to quality maternal and child health services, ensuring healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and early childhood development.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from improved maternal and child health outcomes, promoting public health and social cohesion as refugee families integrate.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from stronger maternal and child health systems that promote health equity and improve refugee outcomes.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Maternal and Child Health: Advocate for expanded maternal and child health services by supporting RefPIC’s initiatives for refugee families.
Volunteer: Join us in delivering maternal and child health services to refugee mothers and children by volunteering with RefPIC.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to provide maternal and child health care services that support the well-being of refugee families.
Donate: Your financial contributions help fund maternal and child health services, ensuring that refugee mothers and children receive the care they need to thrive.