Facing the challenge of maternal deaths in Malawi.

This paper presents the Malawi Safe Motherhood Project and the challenges faced by the government concerning maternal mortality in the country. Reports have predicted that 3000 Malawian women will die unnecessarily during pregnancy or childbirth while another 40000 will survive the rigors of childbirth only to be chronically disabled. Such a toll of death and suffering is indecent for most of these deaths could be avoided with better health care and better awareness. It is for this reason that this 6-year project is conducted in the countrys Southern Region which focuses on a range of factors that affect womens and infants health during pregnancy and childbirth. Cultural preferences regular supplies improved transportation and communication staff training and information for women and families are some of the issues that are being tackled in a concerted effort to make pregnancy safer for all. The Malawi Safe Motherhood Project operates through government and mission maternity units and will expand its reach by two or three districts each year until it covers the entire Southern Region with its population of 5.5 million.