Globally, 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries, yet most of these deaths could have been prevented (WHO).&nbsp; In Malawi, approximately 70% of pregnant women face issues in accessing maternal health services, many women have to walk up to 9 km to reach a clinic (often suffering from birthing complications due to the limited resources and support available during their labour) and in rural areas such as the Balaka District, numerous members of the community are losing their lives due to crocodile attacks whilst attempting to cross the river separating them from the nearest facility.

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Felista’s Story.“My name is Felista James, I am 34 years old from Pila village and I would like to tell my story before the coming in of Somba Health Centre, here in Mangochi and how this facility has changed my life.” During Felista’s first pregnancy, the closest available antenatal clinic was only accessible by foot, a number of kilometres away. One night, there was a sudden onset of labour, yet the cost of hiring a motor vehicle to travel to the hospital was unaffordable. The only option was to walk. “A few kilometres away from the hospital, my condition worsened and I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I decided to stop to rest. It was raining heavily and my labour pains were persistent.” A few hours later, Felista gave birth to a premature baby, and, following the successful delivery, rushed to the hospital with her husband with the remains of her strength in order to receive postnatal care.&nbsp; Upon arrival, the baby was found to be excessively cold due to the heavy rain; doctors attempted to resuscitate the baby, but to no avail.&nbsp; “Years later, exciting news spread through the village about the introduction of a maternity clinic at Somba. During my second pregnancy, I started attending the antenatal clinic there and one evening, when labour started, the nurses rushed me into the labour ward and I progressed through to delivery, giving birth to a live full-term infant without any complications. As I am reporting this, I am pregnant and once again, and attending antenatal appointments here at Somba.” Unfortunately, not every mother has access to a nearby maternity clinic with trained staff, and many continue to suffer the complications in healthcare access, labour and delivery like Felista once did. Through the work of Doctors Worldwide, together we can support communities in need in the rural areas of Malawi to ensure a story like Felista’s does not happen again.&nbsp;

Doctors Worldwide’s Malawi Maternity Project:Since 2016, Doctors Worldwide has been focusing on building and scaling up the provision of maternal care services by addressing some of the key barriers in accessing maternity care in rural areas of Malawi, including: <ol><li>Rehabilitation of maternity clinics: all clinics will be supplied with equipment required for antenatal and postnatal appointments e.g. ultrasound machines and strengthening existing systems</li><li>Training healthcare workers in basic and advanced maternity care to support the reduction of birthing complications: Doctors Worldwide will work with local &amp; international trainers to upskill and train healthcare staff on topics they have not had training access to, or are not confident in delivering to an audience</li><li>Widening the access to maternity clinics by creating Ambubike transport routes: Ambu-bikes will be constructed and developing a transport link between villages and healthcare facilities</li><li>Providing mother-baby packages to those unable to afford them: all essential items required for the birthing process and for mother and baby will be supplied</li></ol>

<div style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><div>Globally, 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries, yet most of these deaths could have been prevented (WHO).&nbsp; In Malawi, approximately 70% of pregnant women face issues in accessing maternal health services, many women have to walk up to 9 km to reach a clinic (often suffering from birthing complications due to the limited resources and support available during their labour) and in rural areas such as the Balaka District, numerous members of the community are losing their lives due to crocodile attacks whilst attempting to cross the river separating them from the nearest facility.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><div style="display:flex"><div style="margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%"><img style="max-width:100%;max-height:200px;object-fit:contain" src="https://amanahfy-staging.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/admin-images[]-1709230391866.jpeg" alt="Image 0"/></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><div>Felista’s Story.“My name is Felista James, I am 34 years old from Pila village and I would like to tell my story before the coming in of Somba Health Centre, here in Mangochi and how this facility has changed my life.” During Felista’s first pregnancy, the closest available antenatal clinic was only accessible by foot, a number of kilometres away. One night, there was a sudden onset of labour, yet the cost of hiring a motor vehicle to travel to the hospital was unaffordable. The only option was to walk. “A few kilometres away from the hospital, my condition worsened and I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I decided to stop to rest. It was raining heavily and my labour pains were persistent.” A few hours later, Felista gave birth to a premature baby, and, following the successful delivery, rushed to the hospital with her husband with the remains of her strength in order to receive postnatal care.&nbsp; Upon arrival, the baby was found to be excessively cold due to the heavy rain; doctors attempted to resuscitate the baby, but to no avail.&nbsp; “Years later, exciting news spread through the village about the introduction of a maternity clinic at Somba. During my second pregnancy, I started attending the antenatal clinic there and one evening, when labour started, the nurses rushed me into the labour ward and I progressed through to delivery, giving birth to a live full-term infant without any complications. As I am reporting this, I am pregnant and once again, and attending antenatal appointments here at Somba.” Unfortunately, not every mother has access to a nearby maternity clinic with trained staff, and many continue to suffer the complications in healthcare access, labour and delivery like Felista once did. Through the work of Doctors Worldwide, together we can support communities in need in the rural areas of Malawi to ensure a story like Felista’s does not happen again.&nbsp; </div></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><div style="display:flex"><div style="margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%"><img style="max-width:100%;max-height:200px;object-fit:contain" src="https://amanahfy-staging.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/admin-images[]-1709230392029.jpeg" alt="Image 0"/></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><div>Doctors Worldwide’s Malawi Maternity Project:Since 2016, Doctors Worldwide has been focusing on building and scaling up the provision of maternal care services by addressing some of the key barriers in accessing maternity care in rural areas of Malawi, including: <ol><li>Rehabilitation of maternity clinics: all clinics will be supplied with equipment required for antenatal and postnatal appointments e.g. ultrasound machines and strengthening existing systems</li><li>Training healthcare workers in basic and advanced maternity care to support the reduction of birthing complications: Doctors Worldwide will work with local &amp; international trainers to upskill and train healthcare staff on topics they have not had training access to, or are not confident in delivering to an audience</li><li>Widening the access to maternity clinics by creating Ambubike transport routes: Ambu-bikes will be constructed and developing a transport link between villages and healthcare facilities</li><li>Providing mother-baby packages to those unable to afford them: all essential items required for the birthing process and for mother and baby will be supplied</li></ol></div></div>

For Mama: Save a Life, Change a Life.

Gaza & Malawi: Save a Mother's Life

In Malawi, Doctors Worldwide is ensuring that midwives and other healthcare staff are equipped to handle birth emergencies in 22 facilities through life-saving training, thus reducing maternal and neonatal deaths caused by preventable complications. In Gaza, where food and medical supplies are scarce, the team provides breastfeeding support, recruits lactation consultants, and ensures that malnourished mothers receive essential nutrients. By strengthening local healthcare systems and training frontline workers, Doctors Worldwide is making childbirth safer for women in crisis.

Supporting Healthier Futures

Since its launch in 2001, Doctors Worldwide has delivered quality medical care and relief across 31 countries, completing over 135 healthcare projects in Asia, Africa, and Central America, saving or transforming more than 4 million lives and counting.

Gaza & Malawi: Save a Mother's Life

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