Life is the most precious gift on earth; with life comes evolution, and with evolution comes continued growth. This is why this year’s World Health Day, championed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), carries the theme ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’.
Delivering care, one village at a time
This year’s World Health Day, championed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), carries the theme ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’. The campaign aims to intensify efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, while also prioritising the long-term health and well-being of women. According to WHO, this task is critical.
“Tragically, based on currently published estimates, close to 300,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while over two million babies die in their first month of life and around two million more are stillborn. That’s roughly one preventable death every seven seconds,” said WHO in a statement.
At current rates, an alarming four out of five countries are off track to meet the 2030 targets for improving maternal survival, and one in three will fall short in reducing newborn deaths.
Healthy beginnings in rural Sarawak
Recognising the healthcare disparities, especially for the underprivileged community in rural Sarawak, social enterprise Tanoti, led by Dato’ Jacqueline Fong, has made it its mission to enhance the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, especially in underserved and remote communities.
In line with her commitment to community building, cultural preservation and women’s empowerment, Fong has visited numerous rural villages and remote hospitals to ensure that every mother and baby has the chance for a healthy start in life.
Since 2022, Fong and her team at Tanoti have implemented two impactful projects across Sarawak: one aimed at postnatal mothers by providing reusable maternity pads, and another for newborns through the distribution of reusable diapers. Fong noted that these initiatives help reduce financial burdens by offering cost-effective, sustainable hygiene solutions.
“At Tanoti, we also actively support the research and development of affordable, locally produced reusable maternity and infant care products. We collaborate with home-based sewists to co-create sustainable solutions that address health and hygiene needs in these areas,” she added.
With the support of Yayasan Hasanah for the diaper project and Star Foundation for the reusable maternity pad initiative, Tanoti strives to bridge gaps in healthcare access through innovative, culturally sensitive, and community-driven approaches.
Barriers in rural communities
Although Malaysia has made great strides in healthcare, significant barriers remain, particularly in rural areas. These barriers can affect both the availability and quality of care, potentially increasing maternal and newborn mortality rates. Fong outlined several key challenges:
- Geographical and Infrastructure Challenges
Remote areas in Sarawak often lack healthcare facilities and basic necessities.
Poor transport infrastructure and long travel distances make access to essential services difficult. - Limited Access to Quality Healthcare Services
There is a shortage of trained professionals such as obstetricians, midwives and paediatricians in rural areas.
Smaller clinics often lack specialised maternal and neonatal care units.
Essential medical supplies are not consistently available. - Socioeconomic Inequities
Low-income families may not afford transport, nutritious food or even basic healthcare services.
Financial instability deters women from seeking timely or regular prenatal care. - Limited Health Literacy
Many lack awareness on the importance of antenatal and postnatal care, warning signs during pregnancy, and appropriate newborn care.
Public health campaigns are often inadequate or not tailored to the specific needs of local communities.
Hopeful futures
Witnessing the challenges firsthand, Fong and the Tanoti team are actively working in line with the theme of this year’s World Health Day. Their dedication to improving outcomes for underserved women and newborns is a driving force for change.
As a social enterprise, they hope to strengthen collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local stakeholders to develop and implement additional initiatives and projects aimed to help the women and babies.
When asked what improvements are necessary in rural maternal healthcare, Fong stressed the need for systemic changes in policy, healthcare infrastructure, and community engagement.
“These changes include improved healthcare infrastructure and access to skilled care; increased education and health literacy, particularly for women, families, and community leaders; financial support and family planning services; and addressing gender inequality and poverty as underlying social determinants,” she explained.
She added that these reforms would contribute to a more equitable, accessible and comprehensive maternal healthcare system — ensuring all women, regardless of location or socioeconomic background, have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
