In 2013, MaterCare Australia’s Executive Director, Dr. Elvis Šeman wrote:

“Whilst returning from the MaterCare Maternity Clinic in remote Merti in central Kenya, we experienced first hand what mothers in the developing world suffer when the transfer of a high risk pregnancy is obstructed – fear, vulnerability, frustration, anxiety & desperation. Maternal transfer can be delayed by birth attendants failing to recognize a high risk situation, poor communication, poor transportation, poor roads, or that help is simply too far away. Our ‘obstruction’ was an impassable, muddy road which, on the same day, tragically resulted in a mother losing her baby- in the developed world this was a preventable intrapartum foetal death. It therefore may come as little surprise that the maternal mortality in the same district of Isiolo exceeds 1:20! In my home city of Adelaide, South Australia the rate is 1:14,000- an enormous disparity. It’s definitely time to do something about this- thank God for organisations like MaterCare International whose rural obstetrical model of care will have such an positive impact on motherhood in Kenya.” -Dr Elvis Šeman,

Today, the MaterCare maternity clinic in Merti is still an active and shining beacon to mothers experiencing high risk pregnancies. This month, the maternity ward was full of women and their families as they delivered newborns in the safe and clean environment of our clinic. The staff, Sister Jacinta and Chukaliza (pictured), are dedicated and experienced midwives and medical professionals that continue to put the care of mothers and their children above all else. They are pictured here, proudly displaying literally armfuls of new deliveries.

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