As part of their existing partnership on obstetrics and maternal health, established in 2017, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, are seeking to boost the confidence of women in the ability of maternity units to provide respectful obstetric and newborn care. This should lead to safer births for women and their newborns in Sierra Leone. \r
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Background: \r
While the maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone has now fallen from 1,165 to 717 deaths per 100,000 live births, it remains very high by international standards. There are still major deficits in the health system when it comes to the quality of care for pregnant women and women giving birth. In previous projects, the partners have already promoted a woman’s right to a birthing companion of their choice as one aspect of respectful maternal and newborn care, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.\r
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Activities:\r\n˗\tTraining for medical staff in respectful obstetric and newborn care at institutions in all five of the country’s provinces\r\n˗\tCampaign to raise awareness of the right to respectful obstetric and newborn care and to a birthing companion of their choice, and creation of a film on this topic\r\n˗\tEvaluation of the impact of the right to freely choose a birthing companion\r
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Impact: \r
The project disseminates the concept of respectful obstetric and newborn care throughout Sierra Leone. Women then have more confidence in the obstetric and newborn care provided by birthing units and opt to give birth at one of these units rather than at home where the risk to mothers and newborns is significantly higher.