In Numbers

Maternal mortality remains one of the biggest killers in sub-saharan Africa. In 2000, the United Nations estimated that the number of women who died during pregnancy or shortly after birth at 529,000 (almost one maternal death per minute), of which less than 1% occurred in industrialised countries. These kind of statistics are often bandied around especially as relates to health care but with no real connection as to what they really mean. I'll be the first to admit that it's often just numbers until you break it down for me. As in maternal mortality kills 500,000 women annually around the world, next only to cancer or HIV-AIDS or similar.


Today, Ridge Hospital, GIWC(Ghana International Women's Club), USAID and Kybele signed a memorandum of understanding that effectively paves the way to the renovation of the maternity operating theatre at Ridge Hospital. Through GIWCs fundraising efforts, USAID's commitment to Ghana's Health Services and Kybele's work in maternal health care in Ghana - the project is finally off the ground. The construction company appointed to work on this project officially started this week and all things being equal, the theatre should be functional by year end.

For many hospitals, especially in first world countries,  12 deliveries per day requiring surgery are just deliveries, for Ridge Hospital, which for now does not have a dedicated maternity theatre, this can mean a matter of life or death. In numbers it's easy to disregard the gravity of the situation, until you put it another way...that's  potentially 24 lives saved daily based on current statistics, once the theatre is completed.
Bravo to GIWC, Kybele, USAID and the staff of Ridge Hospital!

The delegation representing the partners - together with some guests

A walk though of the theatre...the renovation started this week