Asesoria, Capacitacion y Asistencia en Salud, A.C.

Asesoría, Capacitación y Asistencia en Salud (ACASAC) promotes the development of alternative healthcare models for rural and indigenous populations and is one of the strongest voices in Mexico for indigenous women’s right to quality, culturally-appropriate reproductive and maternal health care. ACASAC is developing a communications and outreach strategy in four states that will provide rural, low-income women with information about their right to quality care and empower them to seek services that are culturally appropriate and dignified. The project complements the work of other civil society organizations in this field and of the Ministry of Health by directly engaging women and communities to develop a new paradigm of health care that puts women’s needs front and center.

Asesoria Capacitacion y Asistencia en Salud (ACASAC) is a health research, training, and advocacy organization in Chiapas State with expertise in a range of health-related topics, including reproductive and sexual health. The award supports research on women's preferences for maternal health care and childbirth. Study results can be used by advocates and policymakers to shape or adjust the emerging midwifery model in Mexico and as input for changing policy, developing new training programs, and integrating midwives into the health system.

This grant will contribute to strengthening reproductive health programs for indigenous youth based on community-level work conducted by Asesoría, Capacitación y Asistencia en Salud (ACASAC) in Chiapas. With Foundation support, ACASAC will share materials and lessons learned from earlier grants and will provide technical assistance to local groups working in Chiapas to further advance sexual and reproductive health for indigenous young people.

This grant to Asesoria, Capacitación y Asistencia en Salud AC will support the research and advocacy work of the Maternal Mortality Observatory, contributing to improved accountability of maternal health policies in Mexico.

A three-year, $210,000 grant to Asesoría, Capacitación y Asistencia en Salud will strengthen the engagement of indigenous youth in the promotion of reproductive and sexual health in the Los Altos region of Chiapas, promote comprehensive policies for reproductive health for indigenous youth, and expand a community-based model for reproductive health promotion in the region.