📌 The GLASSCO Foundation is dedicated to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes by addressing critical healthcare infrastructure gaps. In Zambia, maternal mortality remains a significant concern, often exacerbated by the lack of accessible maternity care facilities. Recognizing this urgent need, GLASSCO partnered with local health authorities to construct a Mothers’ Shelter at Munyumbwe Level 1 Hospital. This initiative provides expectant mothers with a safe, comfortable space where they can await delivery under medical supervision, reducing risks associated with home births. 🏥🤰
⚠️ A Crisis in Maternal Health Before the establishment of the Mothers’ Shelter, many pregnant women in Munyumbwe and surrounding areas faced immense challenges accessing healthcare. In a single quarter:
- 🚨 21 mothers delivered at home due to the lack of a nearby facility.
- 🩺 5 neonatal sepsis cases were recorded due to unsanitary home delivery conditions.
- 💔 There was an increase in postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal death, due to the absence of skilled birth attendants.
These alarming statistics underscored the urgent need for a safe, supportive environment for expectant mothers.
✅ Transforming Maternal Health Since the construction of the Mothers’ Shelter, there has been a remarkable improvement in maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The impact includes:
- 📉 A drastic reduction in home deliveries, with only 2 cases recorded in the previous quarter compared to 21 before the shelter was built.
- 👶 A significant drop in neonatal sepsis cases, with only 1 recorded during the period under review.
- 🔍 Enhanced monitoring of expectant mothers, ensuring those with post-term pregnancies receive timely medical intervention.
- 🎉 A total of 35 hospital deliveries recorded in the last quarter, all without a single maternal death.
🌈 A Brighter Future for Mothers and Babies The GLASSCO Mothers’ Shelter has become a beacon of hope for women in Munyumbwe. By offering a safe and reliable space for expectant mothers, the project has not only improved health outcomes but has also empowered women to make informed choices about their maternity care. This success story highlights the profound impact of investing in maternal health infrastructure and sets a precedent for similar initiatives in other underserved communities. 💪👩⚕️
Through the unwavering support of GLASSCO and dedicated healthcare providers, the journey to safer motherhood in Munyumbwe has taken a significant leap forward, ensuring that no woman has to risk her life bringing new life into the world. ❤️
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