Touch Foundation launches maternal health campaign, unite4moms!

As part of our unite4moms! initiative, the Who Cares? Campaign blog is exploring maternal health from April 15 to June 15, 2010.

Globally, childbirth is the leading killer of young women. More than 500,000 women die each year from pregnancy- or birth-related complications and 99% of maternal deaths are in developing countries. In the vast majority of cases, deaths could be prevented if women receive improved access to skilled healthcare workers.

The maternal health statistics in sub-Saharan Africa – and in Tanzania in particular – are shocking. On average, 1 woman and 6 infants die each hour from preventable, birth-related complications in Tanzania.

The connection between the lack of healthcare workers and poor maternal health is clear. Risks of mortality for women and their babies are highest at the time of birth. Maternal deaths decrease dramatically if a woman receives access to prenatal care and if a trained health worker is present while a woman gives birth.

Sadly, in Tanzania, fewer than 50 percent of women have access to a doctor, nurse or other skilled medical worker during childbirth. The Touch Foundation is working to address this dire shortage of healthcare workers in Tanzania.

As part of our new unite4moms! campaign, we are  promoting 4 ways that people like you can join the effort to advance maternal health. For example, you can purchase global crafts – from hand-woven baskets made by women artisans in Swaziland to chic New York charm necklaces featured in Vogue – to benefit the training of healthcare workers in Africa.

Check our unite4moms! campaign page for details! (click HERE)