MDG: Maternal Death … Gone

Editor, DURING the launch of mother and child health week in Rwanda, Minister of Health Dr. Sezibera said that, “the issue of mother and child deaths is a concern that needs to be tackled seriously. There is no reason as to why a mother should die while giving life.” Imbuto Foundation believes in protecting and caring for precious lives, and in planting seeds that will nurture and support these lives. As a contribution to national efforts to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS, Imbuto Foundation offers comprehensive services through its Family Package programme. This approach includes ARV therapies, counseling and peer support, nutritional support, health insurance, child follow-up, and building financial capacity for over 3,000 clients infected and affected by the deadly disease. Family Package helps infected women bring healthy babies into healthy families by extending basic care to the whole family. It is an innovative and holistic way of ensuring the wellbeing of Rwandans. According to the 2005 Health and Demographic Survey, there were 750 deaths of mothers per 100, 000 live births. However, a global survey conducted in 2009 showed that Rwanda had improved. It showed that there were 383 deaths of mothers per 100,000 live births. Imbuto Foundation will continue to work tirelessly with others, to ensure that this number decreases until maternal death is gone. This is possible. There are limitless possibilities to advocating for maternal health. At Imbuto Foundation, we place emphasis on education as the most important and effective tool for the growth of girls into educated mothers. Educated mothers improve their children’s pre and post natal care, childbirth and ultimately mortality rates are reduced. Children’s health is ensured because mothers will access modern health facilities and be more likely to engage in good health practices. This is the thinking behind Imbuto Foundation’s campaign to promote girls’ education. The country-wide campaign has motivated and empowered over 2,000 girls to excel in school and sensitizes communities to be a part of this winning process. Imbuto Foundation looks forward to the day when, through education and innovative approaches, Rwanda can declare that she has met the Millennium Development Goals and can look back and say: Maternal Death…GONE. Imbuto Foundation

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MDG: Maternal Death … Gone