Save Mother and Child Program
SAVE MOTHER AND CHILD PROGRAM
In 2021, 5.0 million children under 5 years of age died. Globally, infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, remain a leading cause of under-five deaths, along with preterm birth and intrapartum-related complications. (UNICEF, Jan 2023).
Despite this considerable progress, improving child survival remains a matter of urgent concern.
Despite the incredible pace of global medical advancement, ending preventable maternal and infant mortality in Somalia remains a major challenge. In the latest study done by UNICEF (2019), the current maternal mortality rate in Somalia is 829 deaths per 100,000 live births. Also, in another latest study done by UNICEF (2021), the current child mortality rate in Somalia is 112 deaths per 1,000 live births.
To put that into perspective, the neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya have rates of 401, 248 and 342 deaths per 100,000 live births respectively. In the same year, the study indicates the mortality rate for children under the age of 5 in Somalia was 114 per 1000, some 10% of children. A large portion of this heartbreaking figure is composed of deaths among newborns during, and shortly after birth. It is incumbent upon us to do everything in our power to mitigate the damage done to both families and society in the wake of such an overwhelming yet preventable tragedy.
In order to reduce these rates dramatically, we have developed a project called “Save Mother and Child”. Dr. Nimo Hagi Abubakar, a trained surgeon having been active in the region since 2003, initiated these efforts and will lead this project. The Save Mother and Child project will see its initial implementation at Al-Hayat Hospital located in the Awdal region. This hospital is the teaching hospital of Amoud University and hosts several residency and training programs for physicians and nurses. It is a highly equipped hospital with great expertise among its staff.
Amoud Foundation currently has 25 Mother and Child Clinics between Ethiopia and Somalia. We plan to have more in the near future in Djibouti and Kenya. Each MCH includes a childcare room, midwife room, delivery room, medical room, doctor’s room, patient rooms, medical storage, waiting room, and restrooms.
Since 2010, Amoud Foundation has been dedicated to improving the healthcare services provided in the region. Establishing 25 Mother and Child clinics in Ethiopia and Somalia to serve those mothers who would otherwise not have any access to maternity care (both during pregnancy and after) as well as medical care for children from birth to age 5 is one of our main commitments. Our Save Mother and Child program aims to deliver comprehensive care for both the expecting mother and her child. Our goal is for more mothers in the region to have healthier pregnancies, leading to healthier infants; secondly, healthier lactating women, ensuring healthy early development in children; and thirdly, improving the health of children under five, thus reducing illnesses and preventable deaths. Amoud Foundation’s Mother and Child clinics help improve children’s health in several ways. Among our programs are our immunization awareness program for mothers, vaccination program for children from birth to age 5, basic hygiene education and practices, and complete medical care for both the mother and child throughout her pregnancy, delivery, and birth of the child. We plan to have more MCHs in the near future in Djibouti and Kenya.
By the will of Allah, we are ready to launch the initiative. We have the expertise and the equipment but are missing one key component: the funds to sustain this project and ensure longevity. Poverty is the leading risk factor for maternal and infant mortality. If these women and their infants are given access to, quality healthcare, it is without question that we will begin to see success as mortality rates dramatically decline.
Our Goals
To create awareness in both the urban and rural regions of Awdal
To waive fees for mothers who cannot afford adequate care
To provide every mother at least 4 antenatal care consultation
To provide care for delivery
To provide post-natal care for mothers
To provide post-natal care for children:
- Three visits for children ages 0 – 1
- Twice a year for children ages 1 – 5
