LIFE FOR MOTHERS | REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN AND INFANTS THAT DIE DURING PREGNANCY/CHILDBIRTH

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» Apr 1, 2013

What Choice do our Ugandan Mothers Have?

» Jan 22, 2013

Remarkable Reductions in Maternal Mortality Seen in Republic of Congo

» Jan 20, 2013

HIV/AIDS Declines in the Republic of Congo

» Dec 26, 2012

Madagascar Addresses High Rates of Maternal and Infant Mortality

» Sep 25, 2012

Condom Usage Remains Low in Uganda

» Sep 19, 2012

Ugandan Government Healthcare Hardly Functions

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Mar 30, 2012

Military Struggle Impedes Obstetric Fistula Prevention and Repair in Mali

AUTHOR:Irin NewsSOURCE:Irin News

Health officials in Mali have been stymied in their efforts to prevent the development and treatment of obstetric fistula due to conflict fighting between rebel forces and the Malian army. A fistula is a hole that develops in a women who has experienced prolonged labor and subsequently suffers from continued leakage of urine and/or feces. These fistula are preventable and treatable as long as women have access to health services. The most important focus should be placed on prevention which requires a woman to reach a health facility where a skilled birth attendant is present and if needed can undergo a ceasarian section. Unfortunately, if a woman develops a fistuia she becomes a pariah and is shunned by her community and can lose her children as well as her husband. Even if the hole is repaired there's no guarantee she will be accepted back. Life for Mothers strives to implement a holistic strategy to address maternal mortality (obstructed labor is a leading cause of death). Through a network of community health workers armed with smartphones they will be in contact with mothers who are close to going into labor. They will facilitate mothers being transported in a timely fashion to the health facility. This should lessen the likelihood of fistula and improve overall oucomes for the mother and her newborn. Of course, the issue of violence can preclude women from traveling safely to reach a health center. Every effort should be made by the government and armed forces to ensure safe transport in order to save lives and prevent chronic and debilitating complications of childbirth, i.e. obstetric fistula. For the full article please click here:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95113/MALI-Unrest-hinders-fight-against-fistula

Did you know?

The risk of a woman dying in sub-Saharan Africa as a result of pregnancy or childbirth is 1 in 22, as compared to 1 in 7300 in developed regions.

Source:United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2010