This really is a thing, and observed on November 17th every year. This past week, there was a conference in Oman to study the issue. Malawi was placed at the ignoble top of the list, experiencing 18 preterm births per hundred, more than any other country studied. Malawi is also among the most deadly when it comes to infant and maternal mortality. PWS&D has been working in Malawi with maternal and child health, addressing the lack of health care for many mothers and children there. Nora and I have participated in Ride for Refuge fundraising for this work in Malawi and Afghanistan. We missed participating in 2019 because of our preparations for going to Malawi (excuse!), but even without us, they raised $15,000. And, PWS&D is submitting a new proposal to the government to continue and expand. Your prayers for success with the government are appreciated.
My source is a Maravi Express news article. Malawi’s Dr. Grace Chiudzu, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, is quoted listing interventions: “use of steroids before they are born, use of antibiotics before they are born, transfer of risk mother to a center where the baby could be looked after, antibiotics to treat newborn infections, kangaroo baby care which is a natural system [where] the baby is carried by the mother with skin-to-skin contact and frequent breastfeeding”. All of this sounds hard to implement for little Malawi, where health care professionals are in very short supply.
On a personal note, I have a new great nephew this month, who was born early and he’s receiving excellent health care in Vancouver, overseen by his doting parents. He and his mother are doing fine.
We’re counting down the days to our departure. In five and a half days we’ll be boarding the plane. In seven days we’ll be there. We’ve spent a lot of time here in Toronto as guests of the church. I’ve heard of mission staff (at other churches and in an earlier era) needing to spend months at home soliciting funds for their overseas work. The Presbyterian Church doesn’t require us to do that, but they do need continued support from us to pay for staff like us. If you’d like to support us in our efforts, you can give to “Presbyterians Sharing” at your local Presbyterian Church, or on line, using the link below. Thanks so much for caring.
In the Warm Heart of Africa 