Problem

In many African countries, women die in childbirth more than 100 times as often as women in developing countries. When a mother dies, the baby also often dies. The most common causes of death are obstructed labor, hemorrhage, and infection. Too few health workers are trained to handle these complications, and too few facilities have the proper supplies and equipment.

The Gift

AMREF trains nurses and midwives how to properly manage a woman in labor, how to prevent hemorrhage and infection, and how to recognize when she needs a caesarean section and must be taken to a hospital. They are also trained in proper care of newborns: how to cut and tie the umbilical cord, to warm the baby, and to encourage the mother to breastfeed immediately, all of which help the baby to survive and thrive. AMREF also provides the proper equipment, drugs, and supplies health workers need to care for mothers in childbirth and their infants. Your gift will help to equip a health facility and train its staff to provide essential obstetric and newborn care.