Stopping death from Malaria in Africa

Given that the main aim and issue for SOS Children is ensuring children get a happy childhood with their mothers, the role which we play in medical care needs little explanation. In some parts of Africa (Gambia for example) the commonest cause of children being orphaned is the death of their mother in childbirth. And once a child has lost their mother, aside from the emotional trauma their prospects are bleak: they are up to five times more likely not to see their fifth birthday. Medical support and medical education are crucial.

A small part of what we do is providing mosquito nets, medicine and education on malaria. A larger part is running mother and baby clinics, obstetrics hospitals and other facilities to try to reduce the problem. In one country (Somalia) we actually run the only obstetrics hospital in the whole country and in many we run the only accessible mother and baby clinic in a whole region. There is more information on our hospitals and clinics on our SOS Medical Centres website.

We are also trying to get cooperation between all parties and government on the issues. Next week (on Tues 17 March) we will be at a meeting in the UK House of Commons to set up a Working Coalition of Agencies concerned with Clinical Emergencies in Mothers and Children. This is looking at death in child birth of the mother and child.

If you would like to help our vision for every child to grow up surrounded by a loving family and help prevent all which stands in the way of this, why not sponsor a child today?