Making it happen: a programme of education in Kenya
Rivers, F.
Practising Midwife 18(8): 16-18
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1461-3123 PMID: 26547993 Document Number: 643055
The number of mothers and babies from the developing world who die in pregnancy and childbirth remains unacceptably high. However, concerted efforts over the last 20 years to reduce the number of deaths have produced significant results, leading to a steady fall in maternal and neonatal mortality rates since 1990 (Unicef 2014). One initiative that is having an impact is the 'Making it happen' programme funded by the UK government and run by Liverpool's School of Tropical Medicine. A 'skills and drills'-type course covering obstetric and neonatal emergencies is delivered to health professionals across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. This article describes the volunteer experience of a UK midwife helping to facilitate a course in Kenya, which has some of the world's poorest health outcomes.