6th International Conference on Maternal and Child Health Handbook

MCH Handbooks in the World Inspired by the maternal and child health (MCH) handbook in Japan, many countries in the world have begun to develop their own MCH handbook which reflects their culture and the social economical status of the country. In many of these countries, JICA, UNICEF, and NGOs have provided international support to introduce and spread the use of MCH handbooks. In some countries, the MCH handbook is being distributed only in pilot areas. MCH handbook in the world ●Indonesia In Indonesia, the MCH handbook is distributed nationwide through the central government. The front cover of the MCH handbook illustrates the characteristics of each community, reflecting the multiethnic and multicultural aspects of the country. ●Thailand In Thailand, the MCH handbook was developed in 1985. Revisions were made several times through users' research and the MCH handbook today includes color "manga" comics and other twists to make it enjoyable to use the handbook. ●USA（Utah State） In Utah State, the first MCH Handbook in USA was developed in 1990. It is made in a hard, album-type fashion, called "keepsake (commemorative gift)". The handbook is distributed to the women in Utah for free, and at times there are requests from the Ministry of Health and medical institutions in other states regarding the selling of the handbooks. ●Bangladesh In 2002, the MCH handbook of Bangladesh was developed by a Bangalese doctor who came to study abroad in Japan. The MCH handbook is filled with illustrations, so that mothers who are not educated can also understand. The MCH handbook is an educational tool for providing information about pregnancy and motherhood.   ●Vietnam Through the support of a Japanese NGO, MCH handbook came into use in the province of Ben Tre in 1998. Now, with the cooperation of Japanese International Organizations and NGOs, the development of a nationwide MCH handbook is being undertaken. ●Palestine In 2008, the Ministry of Health in Palestine and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency cooperated to develop the first Arabic MCH Handbook. In Palestine, where the conflict is ongoing, there are times where suddenly mothers cannot travel to the health facilities because of the security walls and checkpoints. By keeping their own handbooks, women are able to receive appropriate health services at any health facilities. ●Lao PDR Since the introduction of the MCH handbook in a pilot study conducted in 1995, there has been support from different organizations and the use of handbook has expanded. Lao, which has a problem of high maternal mortality rate, is confronted with the issue of effective use of MCH handbooks. ●Dominican Republic   ●Philippines ●Cambodia（for trial） ★For information and inquires: The 6th International Conference on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook Secretariat （c/o Nonprofit Organization Health and Development Service(HANDS) Address: 2nd Floor, 3-20-7 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Japan 113-0033 Tel: +81-3-5805-8565 Fax: +81-3-5805-8667 Email: mchtokyo08@hands.or.jp

CONTACT Secretariat of the 6th International Conference on the Maternal and Child Health Handbook in NPO HANDS(Health and Development Service) Address 2nd Floor, 3-20-7 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan Fax +81-3-5805-8667 Email mchtokyo08@hands.or.jp URL http://www.hands.or.jp/mchtokyo08/ Blog(Japanese only) http://mchtokyo08.blog50.fc2.com NPO　HANDS http://www.hands.or.jp

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