Chad has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world. Many women become pregnant for the first time when they are still teenagers, and some 30-year-olds have already given birth up to eight times. But only a quarter of all births are attended by professionals. Currently, there is only one midwife for every 100,000 women of childbearing age.
Improving the health of mothers and children
For many years, DIFÄM has been cooperating with a church association in southern Chad in the project "Safe Motherhood". The aim is to improve the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and birth.
The local staff members build trust among the pregnant women and encourage them to attend antenatal care. All pregnant women are to be tested for HIV. If the test is positive, antiretroviral treatment is initiated. This can virtually eliminate the risk of transmitting the virus to the babies. Pregnant women are strongly advised to give birth in a health facility or at least accompanied by a trained midwife. For emergencies, transport to the hospital is organised.
The services offered by the project are free of charge for the women. That is one reason why they are accepted. While in 2010 only 25 percent of pregnant women gave birth under medical supervision, in 2019 the share was already 70 percent. The project saves lifes: "Without the project," says one mother, "my child would probably not be alive. When I was in labour and the birth didn't go on, an ambulance took me to the hospital for an operation. I would never have been able to raise the money for that. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart."
Addressing the shortage of midwives
The key to a long-term reduction in maternal and child mortality is the availability of qualified midwives. The training of a midwife at one of the few specialised schools in Chad takes three years and costs 2,340 euros per year.
