Training local health workers to combat maternal and child mortality

South Africa has a maternal mortality ratio of 152 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. Although there has been a big improvement since the roll-out of antiretroviral therapy, there is still a considerable way to go before reaching the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 70 deaths per 100 000 live births. Worldwide, 50% of child mortality has malnutrition as its underlying cause and malnutrition remains a stubborn problem in South Africa with 25% of the country’s children under 2 years being stunted. A significant percentage of the maternal, child and infant deaths in South Africa remain preventable.

In this project, Philani Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Trust (Philani) seeks to decrease maternal and child morbidity and mortality in the OR Tambo District by providing adequate education and training to local health workers.

The project is supported with 1 300 000 SEK

What the project delivers

Training, equipping, and monitoring local health workers in the OR Tambo district.

Why we support this project

The project contributes to keeping women, families and children healthy, to prevent child malnutrition, to give every child a chance to develop to his or her full potential and in that way give every child a chance to a productive life.