Maternity Clinic and Training Project

The maternal and infant mortality rates in Somalia are among the highest in the world. The lack of public hospitals and preventive healthcare are key challenges. By improving maternal and sexual health, the public healthcare can be strengthened as a whole.

Maternity Clinic and Training Project begun in 2012 and is based in Afgooye, located about 30 km from the capital Mogadishu. African Care works together with a local NGO Volunteers for Medical and Development Service (VMDSO).

Thanks to the maternity clinic and training project, the Afgooye clinic continues to work in a variety of ways to improve the well-being of people in the region. More than 1000 women give birth safely and free of charge at the clinic every year. Some of these women travel from rural areas up to 70 kilometres away. In addition to giving birth, women are supported at the clinic during pregnancy and even after birth. The clinic has maintained a very low rate of maternal mortality and stillbirths. The most deprived mothers are given a maternity kit containing toiletries, clothes and a mosquito net to avoid malaria infection.

In the absence of public health care, the clinic aims to support the health of the whole family. The clinic provides essential health care such as antibiotics, wound care and minor surgery. Children have access to a counselling bureau and receive the vaccinations they need. In addition the clinic is open to internally refugees living in the region.

The project also supports maternal health in the region by training village midwives every year. The village midwives support women who are unable to attend a clinic for childbirth, for example because of long distances or sudden births. The village midwives provide support during pregnancy, know how to identify high-risk pregnancies and share general information such as hygiene. The project will also provide mentoring training for village midwives who have already been trained by the clinic. During these trainings, the village midwives will observe the work of the clinic staff, which will support their own professional skills.

Furthermore, the project is carrying out important and long-term work against female genital mutilation (FGM). According to statistics collected by the project, 84% of mothers who have given birth in the clinic have changed their attitude towards FGM and consider female circumcision to be harmful. The clinic staff actively organise public events to raise awareness of the harms of FGM. The clinic also runs a rape support hotline, where rape victims can get support, for example in making a legal action.