Society for Pre and Post Natal Services (SPANS)

About

The Society for Pre and Post Natal Services (SPANS) works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care of the Republic of Zimbabwe (ROZ). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the 9th of February 2016 concerning the implementation of programmes aimed at supporting the National Health Strategy (NHS) through the provision of education, on-going supportive family therapy/counseling and psychological support services to the reproductive age group and the entire community.

SPANS is the organizer of inaugural International conference branded “International Conference on Maternal Mental Health in Africa” (ICAMMHA). SPANS successfully held its “1st International Conference on Maternal Mental Health in Africa” (ICAMMHA) from the 12thto the 16thof December 2016 in Harare at New Ambassador Hotel and it was a success.

SPANS is promoting antenatal, perinatal nutrition and postnatal care (APPC) to promote good mental health care across the life cycle with starting on the pre and post natal phase.

SPANS initiated a program Maternal (Perinatal), Child and Family Mental Health in responding to individuals seeking care for mental health disorders that have a bearing on their reproductive processes and to ensure that woman’s mental health disorders and post natal emotional needs receive the same recognition as their physical needs.

In 2017 and 2018, as SPANS we strived to build potential, strong, lasting collaboration in an effort to raise awareness and networked with other mental health stakeholders in Africa and beyond. We formalised a collaborative partnership Biomedical Research &Training Institute (BRTI). SPANS and BRTI has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In that collaboration, the Partners appreciate that research in pre and post-natal a mental health service is foundational to a society’s, to people’s health! and essential for generating the required evidence to influence policy.

Commitment

SPANS is committed to support the Commit to Inclusion to make sure that all Zimbabweans, including children and adults with a disability, have equal opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. The Commit to Inclusion model will be mainstreamed in all SPANS activities of promoting, prevention, screening, prenatal nutrition and early intervention for the mental well-being. Fortunately, SPANS I has been approved to be a Site for I Can Do It! (ICDI) Evaluation Incentive Opportunity starting 30 September 2018.

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