In 2009, Founder Kathleen Morrow traveled to the remote Himalayan region of Pemakö, Arunachal Pradesh State in the Northeast of India on pilgrimage as a healthcare volunteer. Through interviews she learned that in local villages, women, infants, and children were dying at a high rate from preventable causes: poor sanitation, complications during childbirth and postpartum, and from preventable diseases. Soon after the trip, the only relief organization providing basic health services to the Pemakö region withdrew. The Pemakö Health Initiative, Inc. (PHI) was established in May 2010 and was granted 501 (c) (3) status on June 24, 2011 with the primary goal to provide much needed health services in the region to improve the survival rate, and overall health of the local women, children, and families.

PHI designed a pilot Maternal Child Health Program during 2010 to address the healthcare needs of women and children in Pemakö. In February 2011, PHI met with local women and stakeholders to pave the way to work effectively in the region. PHI handmade 50 Clean Delivery Kits and one local nurse was trained to teach pregnant women and family members in its proper use.

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For more information: pemakohealthinitiative.org

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Founder and Director: Kathy Morrow