Family Care International

Every year, more than half a million women die from pregnancy-related causes. All women face risks during pregnancy and childbirth, but only in poor countries do they routinely die from such issues.

Family Care International, a 2008 recipient of the United Nations Population Award, works in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali, Niger, and Tanzania to make pregnancy and childbirth safer. Our programs focus on

• Improving Access to Maternal Health Services. Almost half of women in developing countries do not get care from a doctor, nurse, or midwife during childbirth. By upgrading health facilities, improving the skills of health workers, and engaging community leaders, we help to ensure that lifesaving health services are available to women — especially those who live in remote settings.
• Saving Women’s Lives by Identifying New Technological Solutions. Postpartum hemorrhage (severe bleeding after childbirth) kills about 350 women every day — mostly those who cannot get to a hospital for help. We work to ensure access to new drugs and technologies that can be safely used at rural clinics. For example, we are collaborating with Gynuity Health Projects to advance approval of the drug Misoprostol, an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage that can be given by mouth. It offers great promise for settings where intravenous equipment and refrigeration are not available.
• Heightening Attention to Maternal Mortality. We focus attention on maternal deaths, forge consensus around proven strategies, and hold governments accountable for implementing effective and fair maternal health policies.