Through prevention, Maternal Health Foundation works to stop childbirth injuries before they happen.
All mothers, no matter where they live or their economic circumstances, deserve to be free from childbirth injury. Safe childbirth depends on skilled care, equipped facilities, early screening, and timely referral. Giving birth in well-equipped hospitals and clinics, with specially trained doctors, nurses or midwives, drops the risk of developing an injury like fistula to almost zero.
Ethiopia – Where Our Prevention Story Began
Hamlin School of Midwifery (Addis Ababa)
- Over a decade ago, MHF’s entry into prevention began with support to the Hamlin School of Midwifery.
- This investment trained dozens of midwives deployed across Ethiopia to rural health centers, bringing safe delivery services closer to women.
Bushulo MNCH-SC, Sidama Region
- Five years ago, MHF began supporting the Bushulo Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health
Specialty Center. - This 69-bed facility now serves 3,000+ patients annually, backed by 45 rural maternal
health centers staffed with midwives. - Improvements in water, power, and security ensure safer deliveries and reduce delays in
accessing care.
March 8 MNCH-SC, Tigray Region (Managed by Maternal Health Africa)
- In 2025, MHF launched support for the March 8 MNCH-SC in Tigray, introducing medical
technology and task-shifting strategies. - Tools such as point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) enable frontline midwives to screen for
high-risk pregnancies and ensure timely referrals. - March 8 is emerging as a beacon of recovery and prevention
Sierra Leone – Hub-and-Spoke Prevention (Managed by Maternal Health Africa)
- MHF’s newest prevention initiative is a hub-and-spoke model in rural Sierra Leone.
- Core elements:
- POCUS screening for high-risk pregnancies.
- Solar-powered PHUs with referral and communication links.
- Strengthened emergency transport for C-sections and blood transfusions.
- Community outreach on birth preparedness and the importance of facility-based
deliveries.
- This model is designed to bring prevention closer to rural mothers and reduce the 'three
delays' that cause injury and death.
Uganda – Expanding into Maternity Prevention
- At Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital (TWCH), MHF has already transformed
treatment. - Looking forward, MHF has provided seed funding to plan for a maternity wing opening in 2027.
- Prevention here will rely heavily on medical technology to support task shifting: enabling
midwives and frontline workers to identify high-risk pregnancies and refer in time. - With TWCH as a base, Uganda prevention efforts will strengthen the continuum of care
from community to hospital.
Ghana – Advocacy and Awareness
- While MHF’s direct prevention programs in Ghana are limited, our voice and leadership
matter. - Every May 23 (International Day to End Obstetric Fistula), MHF secures national press
coverage in Ghana to raise awareness of prevention and treatment. - MHF’s Medical Director and Board Member serves as Chair of the Ghana National Task
Force on Fistula, ensuring prevention is part of the national agenda. - He also represents Ghana at West African regional alliances, advocating for integrated
prevention strategies across borders.
A Unified Prevention Strategy
- Across Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Ghana, MHF prevention emphasizes:
- Midwifery & skilled birth attendance.
- Medical technology for screening and referral.
- Community outreach & education.
- Facility readiness with power, water, and equipment.
- Strengthened referral and transport systems.