The suburb of Campo Limpo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, suffers from one of the highest crime rates in the country. The Primeira Infancia pela Paz (PIPaz) or 'Early Childhood and Peace' project, which is supported by JICA, aims to humanize childbirth, and provide development support for children up to six years old, with a view to helping engender peace in the community. This pilot project is promoting a "Family Friendly Hospital" to conduct humanized childbirth and to facilitate coordination between communities, schools and public health centers.

From 12th to 29th October, Dr. Marisa Makiyama, Director, Department of Institutional Development, Dr. Jane Szmid, Neonatalogist - Pediatrician, Chief of Neonatalogy Department, Campo Limpo Municipal General Hospital, and Dr. Ana-Maria Bresolin, Pediatrician, Children's Health Unit, Health Department, Sao Paulo, attended counterpart training conducted by JOICFP and entrusted by JICA in Tokyo and Gunma Prefecture.

The training aimed to increase understanding of health administration MCH services and management in Japan, including prenatal care, BCC materials, health checks and administration.

Participants' comments

"I was amazed by the responsibility given to nurses, public health nurses and midwives in Japan, and the high level of group education delivered to the community as a result of the close coordination between local health center staff and community volunteers. This was especially true in Kasagake Town, Gunma." Dr. Ana-Maria Bresolin

Health education in Maebashi Hosoi Elementary School.
Midwives explain the miracle of how life begins

"In the three weeks, we were able to observe both strengths and weaknesses of Japan's RH and MCH services and, as a result, deepen our understanding of our own project. Caesarian deliveries still account for nearly 50% of births in Campo Limpo, and we will strive to motivate the existing network of social workers to build a system that improves childbirth.' Dr. Jane Szmid

Observing a health check for seven-month-old babies

"The training in Japan showed us what Brazil will look like in the future and the salient points that we should consider such as health programs that focus on preventive care. Preventive activities with community mobilization can be seen as backward when compared to high-tech curative measures, but Japan, a modernized and developed country, is still gaining benefit from preventive activities at the community level." Dr. Marisa Makiyama

Health promoters in Kasagake
speak about their years of service to the community

Action plan for PIPaz

o Retraining health personnel to extend capacity to conduct health education at the community level

o Development of community-directed BCC:

o Implement a calendar system for community health activities to be delivered to all households

o Organize small health sessions conducted by Community Health Coordinators, who can decide the topics as needed

o Coordinate with health center and schools in conducting adolescent health sessions

o Coordinate with NGOs and the business community in providing convenient public venues for health promotion activities