Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - Of the 10 countries where 60% of maternal deaths are associated with pregnancy and childbirth, 5 are African: Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia and Tanzania. On the occasion of the upcoming Africa Day, the Spanish Catholic organization Manos Unidas wants to give a positive connotation to this event: the presentation of the first children born in the maternity ward of the health center Estaquinha in the region of Sofala, north of Mozambique. The objective is to ensure continuity in the program ESMABAMA, operating since 2003 in the mission of Estaquinha, one of 4 that is already working, which offers total health care in the region. Thanks to this project it was possible to establish a new center, fully operational, which has all the necessary means to treat most common illnesses in the area such as malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, diarrhea and AIDS. With the new maternity ward the health program is complete. In many rural areas of Africa for many women motherhood involves a risk to their health and that of their children. The establishment of a ward like that of Estaquinha, together with the preparation of qualified personnel, training of women and pregnancy under supervision, is the key to give women a safe pregnancy. ESMABAMA also contributes to the education of children in the area, agricultural production and improving the health conditions of the population. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2012)
