Maternal Health Project
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 270,000 women die every year of risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth.(1) Over her lifetime, an African woman has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth, compared to 1 in 2,400 in Europe.(2)
Causes
There are several reasons for the high maternal mortality rates in Sub Saharan Africa. These include, but are not limited to, socioeconomic disadvantages (extreme poverty), and inadequate infrastructure.
Hope
While the problem seems insurmountable, improvements are possible. The World Health
Organization and others recommend the following to help reduce maternal mortality
across the world: (3)
1. Better resource management and efficient application of existing knowledge to
provide proper maternal care, including basic care during and after pregnancy and
adequate and timely specialized care.
2. Income and gender equality and community empowerment to strengthen community
involvement in using indigenous knowledge, participating in education, training
and research, and improving primary health care skills.
Fousena Fund
In March, 2006, we launched the Fousena Fund, in memory of Fousena Tchala, the sister of our founder, who passed away in November, 2005 of complications during the birth of her second child. 5% of our opening store orders are dedicated to the Fousena Fund. Each year we sponsor 40 women and provide them with full pre and postnatal care. In 2007, we started the Alaffia Women's Clinic, which will provide information and training on women's health issues.
Sources
1. World Health Organization (WHO), Maternal Mortality in 2005: Estimates Developed
by WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA (Geneva: WHO, 2005).
2. Collymore, Y. Population Reference Bureau (PRB), Tracking and Reducing Maternal
Deaths Presents Major Challenges (www.prb.org, 2005).
3. World Heath Organization (WHO), The Road to Safe Motherhood (www.afro.who.int/drh/safe-motherhood/safe_road.htm:
WHO, 2006).
