Strengthen the traditional knowledge of 120 indigenous midwives with scientific practices, training them in women physiology during pregnancy in order to improve the quality and timeliness of maternal care in their remote communities. The project will provide 5 regional health centers with specialized medical equipment for emergency care during childbirth. Let us become a "Buti Zaku" (pregnant mother) caregiver and protect lives in the "World's Heart" - Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
In Colombia, indigenous maternal and infant mortality rate is 5 times higher than in non-indigenous population (factors such as poor medical supplies, infections during birth, knowledge on signs of risk and geographical isolation) In the Arhuaco indigenous reservation (where 45,000 people live), 95% of the births are home-based and assisted by traditional birth attendants lacking of scientific knowledge on physiology and birth emergency care, since they have not received academic training.
Delivery of training and educational tools as well as medical equipment which will allow mothers and babies to be diagnosed correctly, identify early alarm signs and manage crises. This will significantly reduce mortality rate of mothers and infants in the community.
By strengthening the skills and knowledge of midwives and midwifery trainees, 13,000 indigenous women will benefit from the improved attention of the traditional health service, which will reduce the maternal-infant mortality rate, generating well-being to the Arhuaco Indigenous community. And this program will be used as a reference for midwifery training for other remote regions and indigenous communities.
