Malawi

In the local Chichewa language a woman who is pregnant is "pakati," literally "between life and death."

In a country the size of Pennsylvania a staggering 6,000 mothers lose their lives annually due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy is an uncertain, often frightening time in a country that experiences one of the highest maternal mortality ratio in the world. During our program, VSI worked with partners to change this.

In 2010, Malawi achieved registration of misoprostol for postpartum hemorrage and treatment of incomplete abortion and miscarriage. This is a significant step that brings a needed, quality medicine closer to women and addresses the leading causes of preventable deaths in Malawi. VSI worked with local NGO partners and the Ministry of Health to integrate misoprostol into existing safe motherhood programs.

By the Numbers

Estimated Total Population

14.2 M

Lifetime Risk of Maternal Death

1 woman in 36

Maternal Mortality Ratio

510 per 100,000 live-births

Total Fertility Rate

6.0

Births Attended by Skilled Health Provider

54%

Unmet Need for Family Planning

27%

Source: PRB, 2011 and WHO, 2010