About 'SAVE'

Addressing Maternal Mortality in Africa: A Call to Action

The Urgent Crisis: 

Africa records nearly half of the world's 600,000 pregnancy-related deaths annually. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa highlights a disturbing trend: there has been no improvement in maternal deaths across the continent for over a decade. In fact, maternal mortality ratios have risen from 870 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 1,000 per 100,000 live births in 2001. Read the full WHO report here.

Our Collective Responsibility: 

To address this crisis and meet the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality by 75% by 2015, a unified approach is essential. We must come together as one people, united in progress, to tackle the increasing rate of avoidable maternal deaths in Africa.

Ban Ki-moon's Call to Action: 

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, poignantly stated, "In the 21st century, no woman should give her life to give life." This powerful message underlines the need for immediate and decisive action to save the lives of mothers across the continent.

SMI Kenya's Response: 

In Kenya, Sweet Mother International is committed to making significant contributions to this cause:

• Establishing a Trust Fund: Assisting rural women with obstetrics care, especially for those who cannot afford critical procedures like cesarean operations.

• Advocating for Governmental Support: We urge the Kenyan government to join hands with us in providing free and efficient obstetrics care for rural women.

• Emergency Intervention Units: Proposing the creation of units equipped with ambulances or helicopters to quickly transport pregnant women from rural areas to hospitals during emergencies.

Government's Role and Our Hope: 

We acknowledge and applaud the Kenyan government's efforts in national development. In addressing maternal health, a swift and supportive response from the government is crucial. By collaborating on this vital issue, we aim to significantly reduce pregnancy-related deaths in Kenya.

Your Participation Matters: 

Join us in this vital campaign. Your support, whether through volunteering, advocacy, or donations, can make a lifesaving difference.

Click here to read more about the objectives of the "SAVE" campaign.

Objectives

The objectives of the Sweet Mother International (SMI) - Save African Women from Pregnancy Related Deaths (SAVE) campaign are as follows:

1. Reduce Maternal Mortality: Significantly decrease the number of deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth in Africa.

2. Raise Awareness: Increase awareness about the causes of maternal mortality and the importance of access to quality maternal healthcare.

3. Improve Access to Healthcare: Enhance the availability and accessibility of quality prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

4. Empower Women: Educate and empower women about their health rights, prenatal care, safe childbirth practices, and postnatal care.

5. Support Healthcare Workers: Train and support local healthcare workers, including traditional birth attendants, to improve the quality of maternal healthcare.

6. Advocate for Policy Change: Advocate for policy changes that prioritize maternal health and allocate necessary resources towards improving healthcare infrastructure and services.

7. Collaborate and Partner: Work in collaboration with local communities, governments, NGOs, and international organizations to amplify the impact of the campaign.

8. Establish Emergency Services: Develop emergency intervention services, including transport and referral systems, to ensure women facing pregnancy complications receive timely care.

9. Facilitate Education and Research: Promote research and disseminate information on best practices for reducing maternal mortality.

10. Mobilize Resources: Secure funding and resources to support the implementation of programs aimed at reducing pregnancy-related deaths.

11. Build Community Networks: Create and strengthen community networks for mutual support and sharing of information regarding maternal health.

12. Advocate for Women’s Rights: Promote women’s rights and address cultural practices that negatively impact maternal health.

These objectives are focused on creating a sustainable impact in the fight against maternal mortality, ensuring that every woman in Africa has the right to a safe pregnancy and childbirth.