Pictured: Pregnant women at Gondama Birth Waiting Home in February 2023
With Mother’s Day in May, RHCI has cause for celebration!
Sierra Leone was among the top three countries in the African region with the highest maternal mortality rates in 2017. The maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone (one of the highest in the world) has dropped 60 % from 1120/100,000 births in 2017 to 443/100,000 in 2020. This is the biggest success of any country reported in Africa. Though still high and with much work to be continued, this is a major improvement. By comparison, in the USA the rate is 20-4o/100,000.
At RHCI, we believe our work, with the support of our generous donors, has been a part of reducing mortality. Women from rural villages are getting access to skilled care at the time of delivery, due to our Birth Waiting Homes.
With a new initiative which began in February, RHCI is facilitating is better and more prompt care at the Bo Government Maternity Hospital. Through a memorandum of understanding with the hospital and pharmacy, RHCI helps to ensure that all referred pregnant women receive the medications and prompt care needed to safely deliver their baby.
All of these improvements are possible with your support to continue our life-saving programs. You, our donors and friends are indeed making the world a better place.