Volunteering to save lives
McAuley, J.
Practising Midwife 15(11): 29-32
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1461-3123 PMID: 23304865 Document Number: 565314
Experienced health professionals are sharing their skills with midwives and nurses in Ethiopia to improve the education their counterparts receive and help reduce the risks expectant mothers face. In Ethiopia, there are 676 deaths per 100,000 live births compared with an average of 290 per 100,000 in other developing countries and only 6 per cent of women have medical support during labour. International development organisation, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is working with the Ethiopian Government to help them address this workforce shortage by placing experienced volunteer midwives in hospitals, universities and midwifery education institutions. There are many challenges, but volunteers can play a vital role in improving the country's maternal healthcare by teaching midwifery tutors and students and supporting permanent staff.