By Judith Steele Lanfranco | Administrative Assistant
Summary
WHH, serving under served women worldwide, travels to Sierra Leone this Fall; one of the most dangerous places on earth to give birth - infant and maternal deaths among the highest in the world! We’ll partner with West Africa Fistula Foundation, SUNY Upstate Medical University (New York), and University of Sierra Leone, to start a 1 yr internship for physicians and midwives in Bo, Sierra Leone, and grow a residency program. Ultimate goal - reduce maternal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
In Sierra Leone, women receiving prenatal care once during pregnancy was 81% in 2006–13, for the recommended minimum 4 visits it dropped to 56%. A shocking 1 out of 8 die during childbirth. Survivors suffer unimaginably; with nerve damage preventing walking, kidney disease leading to death if untreated; or obstetric fistulas leaving them incontinent, trickling urine, or feces, through the vagina - shunned, ostracized, discarded by community and family- left to fend for themselves, or die.
How will this project solve this problem?
Improved skilled obstetrical care is the key to reduce maternal mortality; training is vital. WHH, and our partners, will train physicians and midwives using a team approach, focusing on skills needed to decrease maternal mortality and morbid conditions like obstetric fistula. WHH just held a Hike 4 Healing locally, raising nearly $7400 in one day for this cause! The hike was challenging, but not near as challenging as this current crisis. ACT NOW - join us -save dying mothers and save their babies!
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