Action For Health : Empowering Communities in Mali

Late last year, we introduced to you to our expanded maternal health program, an initiative within Action for Health aimed at empowering women with the critical knowledge and access to services they need to ensure a safe pregnancy, delivery, and recovery, in a country where 1 in 22 women will die from complications during childbirth. After a six-month pilot, our medical coordinator, Dr. Diak Traore took some time to reflect on the current program and where to go next.

In all, 43 women took part in the program. All of them received frequent and focused visits from our team of Community Health Workers, encouraging safe decisions and relaying warning signs throughout the courses of their pregnancy. 84% of women (36) also elected to participate in prenatal consultations at the Clinic. Among these participants, 35 have either completed, or are currently on track to complete, their own individual series of 4 consultations. At this time of Dr. Traore’s report, 12 women had given birth, 8 of whom in a health facility. The entire team was rightly proud of their work, most notably in the case of a woman who experienced complications during labor and delivery but was able to receive the medical care she needed, with her election to deliver at the health center.

Overall, we were encouraged by the participation and impact of the program. The pilot, however, shed light on areas to improve, largely related to restrictive cost barriers. While the program does in fact cover some associated fees, others were left to be financed by the husband, as is customarily the case in our community. However, the 7 women who did not participate in prenatal care cited high clinical costs as a barrier. Further, of the 4 women who gave birth at home, 3 identified related costs of delivery in a health center as a primary deterrence, and one, tragically, experienced a miscarriage.

This summer, we will be doubling the size of Action for Health, and with it, expanding the prenatal care program.  We are currently considering the most effective ways to reduce these cost barriers while reaching more women.

As our program grows, so too can your impact. This June, to support our efforts, all funds given will be matched, dollar for dollar. And, through Global Giving’s additional support, this Wednesday, June 13, all donations will be matched a further 50%, turning a $20 gift into $50 for our program. To give, just follow the link below.

Thank you for your continued support as Action for Health grows in both depth and breadth, and I look forward to sharing continued updates of its expansion. I hope you will consider participating, and help us reach more women with this program.  

Links:

• Please support us on Weds, June 13- all gifts matched at 150%!