WHY MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH?

​Maternal mortality rates and child mortality rates in children under age 5 remain unacceptably high, especially in low-income countries and in conflict or post-conflict settings.  Fortunately, a majority of maternal and child deaths are preventable.  With access to quality care and medications, most complications can be treated, including: infection, preeclampsia, pneumonia, and diarrhea. By supporting initiatives that provide higher-quality and accessible health services, as well as family planning education and access to contraception, progress towards reducing mortality rates among women and children can be made. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

• Every 2 minutes a woman dies from pregnancy related causes.
• 99% of maternal deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
• In low income countries, the maternal mortality rate averages at 430 deaths per 100,000 live births compared with 12 deaths per 100,000 live births in high income countries.
• 5 million children under the age of 5 died in 2021; nearly 47% of these deaths were in newborns.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for more than 80% of under-5 deaths.

OUR RESPONSE

One Day’s Wages comes alongside grassroots partners to provide quality healthcare services for mothers and newborns, health education, and capacity support for health workers.  Since 2009, we have supported 39 maternal and child health projects in under-resourced communities, impacting over 117,000 people. Through our partnerships, Vitani and baby Chrisnie received regular prenatal and postnatal care, and 60 Afghani midwives were trained to contribute to the prevention of unnecessary maternal and infant mortality.

Header photo: Project #123, Maternal Health in Haiti