A Special Delivery for Women in Mali

October 09, 2017New hospital equipment and supplies will help health workers give comfort and care to women in need.Health workers and local government officials gathered to welcome an unprecedented special delivery in Koulikoro and Kayes regions in Mali this summer: essential hospital equipment and supplies worth over US$200,000.It ’s the first time this volume of new surgical equipment and supplies has been delivered to health facilities here. And what arrived wasn’t just a donation—it was a targeted contribution of the most-needed medical supplies identified by the health centers themselves.We think this approach is key —not only to how we offer holistic care for women with obstetric fistula in Mali, but to all our work expanding access to high-quality health care around the world. Alone, supplies and equipment will never solve the biggest problems in health care. It takes collaboration with engaged government pa rtners and solid, honest relationships with health workers on the front lines of care.It started with an assessmentIn 2016,IntraHealth International andProject C.U.R.E. teamed up to assess the greatest needs in three of Mali ’s main health facilities that provide fistula treatment and repair. We found that despite the availability of trained staff, some facilities housed entire rooms and wardsdevoid of equipment and supplies. Many were making do with broken beds, instruments they were unable to sterilize, and/or a shortage of equipment tailored to their ...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news