More than just a clinic: Empowering Mothers and Newborns to Survive and Thrive

It’s not just about having a clinic nearby; it’s about having skilled healthcare professionals, the right equipment, and essential medications readily available. Then you layer on the social determinants of health – poverty, lack of education, gender inequality – and these challenges become even more complex. For so many women and newborns, particularly in low-resource settings, a safe birth and a healthy start to life are still a lottery, and that’s something that keeps me awake at night. There are also cultural practices and beliefs that can inadvertently create barriers to accessing timely and appropriate care, and navigating those sensitively is crucial.

A healthy mother is more likely to be able to contribute to her family’s economic well-being and participate actively in her community. When newborns survive and thrive, they have a much greater chance of reaching their full potential, contributing to the future workforce and the overall social fabric.

Conversely, high rates of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity have devastating economic consequences for families and communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and hindering societal progress. The emotional toll on families who experience loss is immeasurable, and the long-term psychological impact on communities can be significant. Investing in maternal and newborn health isn’t just a matter of compassion; it’s a fundamental investment in a healthier, more prosperous, and more equitable society.

Over the years, we at the For Mom & Baby Foundation have witnessed inspiring successes in our mission to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths through evidence-based interventions. Our community engagement and culturally sensitive awareness initiatives have empowered over 5,200 women to take greater ownership of their health. We’ve also prioritised training midwives in the latest best practices, equipping more than 120 healthcare professionals with the skills to provide quality care.

Our foundation actively supports initiatives that have trained over 50 Community health workers in remote areas and provided essential medical supplies to more than 15 under-resourced clinics in conflict affected regions, directly impacting the lives of countless families. Furthermore, our research and advocacy efforts, exemplified by our “bootcamp for moms” sessions, have directly reached over 70 mothers, leveraging the power of peer-led personal storytelling to positively influence maternal and child health outcomes within their communities.

A particularly memorable experience involves a young woman in rural southwest region, Cameroon who faced a very difficult labour. Thanks to the presence of one of our trained midwives, whose facility we had equipped with resources to manage postpartum haemorrhage, both mother and baby survived. The great relief and joy of the family powerfully illustrated the impact of accessible, basic interventions. While there have also been heartbreaking losses in the community, sometimes due to mothers not seeking antenatal care, these experiences only strengthen our resolve to continue advocating for better access to quality care for all mothers and newborns globally. We need Everyone for Maternal and Child health.

Author: Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, Founder & Executive Director, For Mom and Baby Foundation, Cameroon