Overview
Over the last two decades, maternal deaths have decreased by nearly 50% worldwide. Still, every day, 800 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications. Almost all of these deaths—99%—occur in developing countries. And for every woman who dies in childbirth, another 20 to 50 survive but suffer devastating injuries, such as obstetric fistula.
St. Mary’s ADI Community Health Center is a women-centered approach to maternal health addresses women’s sexual and reproductive health needs throughout their lives, including adolescence. Ensuring the availability of quality services helps pave the path for appropriate, specialized care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Still, for many women, pregnancy marks their first contact with the health care system, which provides an unmatched opportunity not only to help make pregnancy and delivery safe for both mother and child, but also to address broader aspects of women’s health, including family planning, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).
St. Mary’s ADI Community Health Center programs ensure that health facilities are equipped with supplies and well-trained staff to provide high-quality services for Safe pregnancy.
- Safe pregnancy
- Essential and emergency obstetric services
- Antenatal care
- Treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
- Post abortion care
- Fistula prevention and repair
- HIV and STI screening, prevention, treatment, and counseling
- Family planning
- Male involvement
In addition, we advocate for policy changes to make motherhood safer, such as increased availability of a lifesaving drug to treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. St. Mary’s ADI Community Health Center currently is involved with maternal and child health activities in countries throughout in all communities.