Yesterday, I spoke with Zubaida Bai at AYZH, which manufactures clean birth kits (AYZH instruction manual: http://bit.ly/JUnu2b) in India.  Our conversation changed my way of thinking about the quality and assembly of the clean birth kits for Laos.

Before the conversation I had planned to buy the supplies in Thailand and arrange assembly once in Laos.  Other organizations source inputs in the developing world and the inputs are simple.  Or are they?

Talking to Zubaida, I realized that the quality and quality control of the products matters a great deal.  For example, the AZYH kit contains a plastic clamp instead of a cotton cord ties — easier to keep sanitary.  The sheet is not cut from a plastic roll but of padded, blood absorbing quality for comfort and easy clean up.  The soap is medicated, the razor a sterile surgical blade with steel handle.  Further,  items are contained in a stylish jute bag, which encourages women to appreciate/use them, and is biodegradable.

The high quality makes it possible for AYZH in India and other organizations in Africa to charge a small fee for the kits, increasing user buy-in to utilizing the clean birth kits and creating sustainability.

Beyond the product being more effective and attractive, items are hospital grade and completely sanitized.  The plastic cord clamp means blood/dirt isn’t absorbed into the cord tie, as with cloth ties.   The kits are made by women with years of experience in packaging these kits in a totally hygienic  manner.   This had the most impact for me: it took years for AYZH to develop best practices for selecting products and assembly.

Before the conversation, I expected that I would engage community members to make the kits.  However, talking to Zubaida, with her years of experience, I understand more clearly that distribution and education should be the focus.  That is where I need to spend my time — not searching out the right items and locating a sterile place and team to assemble kits.  Not at first anyways.