The Mãe Coruja Pernambucana Programme: a comprehensive care net work to reduce mate rnal and infant mor talit y in Pe r nambuco s tate, Brazil A n a El i za b e t h d e A n d ra d e L i m a, Co o rd i n a to r, E x e cu t i ve Co m m i t t e e, Lu s a n i ra S a nta Cr uz, Te ch n i ca l S u p p o r t M a n a g e r, Cr i s t i n a P i n h e i ro Ro d r i g u e s, P ro g ra m m e E x p e r t, V i rg í n i a M a r i a H o l o n d a d e M o u ra, S u p p o r t M a n a g e r, Re n a ta A .L. Ca m p o s, Co o rd i n a to r, Ad v i s o r y B o a rd, a n d Ta n i a A . L i m a, S u p e r v i s i n g E x p e r t, M ã e Co r u j a P ro g ra m m e, P e r n a m b u co, B ra z i l; M a r i a d a Co n ce i çã o S i l va Ca rd ozo, M o n i to r i n g a n d S u p e r v i s i n g Co o rd i n a to r, H e a l t h Re g i o n I, P e r n a m b u co, B ra z i l Since being established in 2007, the Mãe Coruja
pmc created a care network based on the health,
Programme (pmc) has become a model of effective
education and social development sectors, formed by
intervention for young children in the Brazilian
nine state departments: Health; Education; Social
state of Pernambuco. This article describes how the
Development; Human Rights; Labour, Training
programme was implemented, how it is managed
and Entrepreneurship; Agriculture and Agrarian
and the challenges in creating a programme that can
Reform; Women; Children and Youth; and Planning,
serve as a reference point for public policy across the
Management and Government. pmc coordinates the
country.
different parties and acts jointly with the various departments. The programme is jointly managed by the
Pernambuco state is located in the north-east of Brazil.
state and the municipalities, as well as by other bodies
It has a population of 8,796,448 and a population density
such as universities, non-governmental organisations
of 89.63 inhabitants/km 2 (2010). Pernambuco’s capital is
and civil society.
Recife, and the state is formed by 184 municipalities as well as the Fernando de Noronha Territory.
The fundamental principles of the programme are: identifying mothers’ and children’s needs and analysing
Although the area is going through an accelerated
each municipality’s situation; organising assistance
process of development, leading to an improvement in
networks; integrating the management of social
its social and economic indicators and to a reduction
assistance and health services, while respecting the
in infant mortality rates, significant social differences
autonomy of the parties involved; and strengthening
between the state’s regions still exist. For instance,
primary care by establishing a dialogue with other
according to 2011 estimates, in parts of Recife children
support services.
are twice as likely to survive as those in the backcountry of the Pernambuco region.
pmc’s organisational structure is formed of a Consultative Council, coordinated by the First Lady of the State and
The Mãe Coruja Pernambucana Programme was established
supervised by the Governor; an Executive Committee
by the state government in October 2007. Its aim was to
coordinated by the Department of Health; an Advisory
reduce infant and maternal mortality and provide care
Committee; four state coordinators; 12 regional
for pregnant women and their children up to the age
coordinators; and one Mãe Coruja local office in the
of 5 – ensuring healthy pregnancies and growth, and
municipalities in which mortality rates are equal to or
strengthening emotional bonds. The expression mãe
above 25/1000 of babies born alive (2006–2009 data). There
coruja (mother owl) is part of popular culture. Drawing on
are Mãe Coruja local offices in a total of 103 municipalities,
how the owl represents both knowledge and the ability
located in the 12 health regions. Between them, there are
to see 360 , it implies respect for mothers who look after
nearly 95,000 women registered, and 42,000 accompanied
and feel proud of their children.
children (sis-Mãe Coruja 2013).
The Mãe Coruja programme was informed by experiences
Implementation, management and progress
both elsewhere in Brazil – including the pim programme
The programme was implemented after identifying
described on pages 33–34 of this issue of Early Childhood
the needs and priorities of the most vulnerable sectors
0
Matters – and overseas, such as Cuba’s Educa a tu Hijo
of the population. These included strengthening the
(Educate your Child) programme. Despite these sources
State Maternal Mortality Research Committee and State
of inspiration, the programme design had to be based on
Infant Mortality Prevention and Reduction Committee;
Pernambuco’s own needs, challenges and realities.
guaranteeing access to documentation; strengthening family and emotional ties; access to basic social
• B e r n a rd v a n Le e r F o u n d a t i o n
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