Problem

For millions of women around the world, pregnancy and childbirth carry significant risk for their health and survival. Each year, almost 530,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes, and millions more suffer injuries or develop life-long disabilities. Ninety-nine percent of these women live in the developing world. The international community is committed to reducing maternal deaths by 75% by 2015, as part of the Millennium Goals, requiring us to make huge strides over the next decade.

The Gift

Skilled attendance (care by a trained doctor, nurse, midwife in an enabling environment) during pregnancy and delivery is globally recognized as one of the best strategies for reducing maternal deaths. FCI has been working in rural, under-served districts of Africa to reduce maternal deaths by upgrading and strengthening the skills of health care providers, improving care at clinics and hospitals, addressing basic equipment, infrastructure, and referral gaps, and through community awareness-raising, increasing women’s use of maternity health services. To date, we have upgraded 95 health facilities and trained over 300 health providers to recognize and manage obstetric emergencies. Though the need is great, few providers in developing countries have access to the high-quality life-saving training FCI can provide. Your contribution of $1,500 will pay for a two-week training for 12-15 nurses and midwives in the recognition and management of emergency complications during pregnancy and childbirth.