Terre des Hommes & gisAction’s StoryMap Initiative for healthcare
In an effort to support and improve healthcare services for maternal and newborns in Mali, Terre des Hommes (TDH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights and providing humanitarian aid, collaborated with gisAction to leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. This partnership, documented through a compelling ArcGIS StoryMap, highlights TDH’s innovative SIMSONE (Simulation of Essential Obstetric and Neonatal Care) project, aimed to enhance healthcare for maternal and newborn by improving healthcare professionals’ competencies directly in their working environments. This blog explores the goals of TDH in Mali, the importance of the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) approach, and the contributions of gisAction in visually mapping and communicating the project’s progress and achievements.
Enhancing Healthcare for Maternal and Newborn Health; Understanding the Project and TDH’s Mission
Terre des Hommes is well-recognized for its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, with a focus on children and marginalized communities worldwide. In Mali, where maternal and newborn health is a critical issue, TDH launched the SIMSONE project to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by enhancing the skills of local health workers. This program aligns with TDH’s core mission to promote health equity and protect children from preventable diseases and health complications.
WASH, a crucial aspect of the project, aims to provide essential hygiene infrastructure and education, which is pivotal in preventing infections and ensuring safe birth practices. By implementing a comprehensive training approach, TDH not only addresses immediate health needs but also builds sustainable health capacity in these communities, ensuring long-term improvements in maternal and newborn health.
gisAction’s Role: Mapping Health Data to Support Maternal Care
To effectively communicate and analyze the outcomes of the SIMSONE project, TDH partnered with gisAction, an organization specializing in GIS and data-driven storytelling. An engaging StoryMap was creaed to showcase the project’s impact through interactive maps, data visualizations, and narrative storytelling emphasizing the efforts to enhance healthcare for maternal and newborn in Mali . This StoryMap highlights a range of indicators, including
- Percentage of Skilled Attended Deliveries: Mapping the percentage of deliveries attended by qualified health workers across targeted health districts.
- Improvement in Healthcare Worker Skills: Highlighting areas where healthcare workers improved their emergency obstetric and neonatal care skills.
- Care for Obstetric Complications: Tracking cases of severe complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage and preeclampsia, to measure the improvement in available treatment.
- WASH Improvements: Comparing WASH-related improvements, such as the availability of handwashing facilities and hygienic birthing equipment, from 2020 to 2021.
gisAction effectively used GIS technology to visualize health outcomes, helping stakeholders, donors, and the public better understand the project’s impact. The StoryMap provides a clear, visual representation of health statistics and milestones, which plays a significant role in demonstrating the project’s effectiveness and guiding future interventions.
The Lasting Impact of the TDH and gisAction Collaboration
The collaboration between TDH and gisAction demonstrates how technology can enhance humanitarian efforts. By using GIS to document and share the outcomes of the SIMSONE project, TDH can more effectively communicate its impact and gather support for expanding similar initiatives. The StoryMap provides a transparent and accessible view of the improvements in maternal and newborn health, serving as a powerful tool for advocacy and awareness.
In essence, the project illustrates the importance of leveraging GIS and data visualization in humanitarian work to make a lasting impact. Through partnerships like these, organizations can foster sustainable changes, improve public health, and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in healthcare and hygiene across vulnerable regions.
Who we worked with
Terre des Hommes is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights and improving their living conditions. Founded in 1960, the organization focuses on fighting child exploitation, providing healthcare, and ensuring access to education in vulnerable communities around the world. Terre des Hommes works with local partners to advocate for policy changes and offers direct support to children in crisis situations, such as conflict zones and areas affected by natural disasters.
