In rural Zambia, mothers still face life-threatening risks when giving birth. Health centers are often located far away and complicated deliveries can be challenging. For mothers and babies, a safe delivery isn’t always guaranteed.  

However, sustainable improvements are taking place. Medicines for Humanity (MFH), is supporting intensive training for nurses and midwives, giving them the skills needed to save lives and ensure safe births.  Local health workers are being equipped with the tools and knowledge to manage complications, and this is ensuring long-term improvements in maternal and newborn health.   

Essential Life-Saving Skills

 The training focuses on three key programs: Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), Helping Mothers Survive (HMS), and Essential Care for Labor and Birth (ECL&B). These programs are designed to equip healthcare workers with the knowledge and hands-on skills to handle emergencies and ensure safer deliveries. 

• Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) focuses on teaching healthcare workers how to quickly assist newborns who aren’t breathing at birth, including techniques to clear airways and provide ventilation. 

• Helping Mothers Survive (HMS) trains staff to recognize and manage serious maternal complications, such as excessive bleeding and high blood pressure, which can lead to life-threatening situations.  

• Essential Care for Labor and Birth (ECL&B) provides guidelines for clean and safe deliveries, focusing on hygiene, monitoring, and ensuring proper care during labor to prevent complications. 

Real Impact in the Field 

The results are remarkable. Peter Miyoba, a registered nurse at Chikuni Mission Hospital, reports a dramatic reduction in complications: within four months, the hospital saw only one case of birth asphyxia and no stillbirths. The staff’s increased vigilance in monitoring women in labor has led to better outcomes and more women seeking care.   

Another registered nurse from Chivuna Mission RHC, Sipiwe Chiyumba, and her team improved their ability to detect complications, including breech pregnancies, thanks to the addition of an ultrasound machine funded by MFH. At Kawena RHC, the staff now handles complex deliveries with greater confidence, reducing unnecessary referrals that require dangerous transport and ensuring better care.  

A Lasting Change 

The impact of these trainings is lasting. With Laerdal Maternity Training Kits and ongoing practice, healthcare workers can continue using these life-saving techniques in their communities. This training isn’t just a program - it’s a step towards a future where every woman and child can expect a safer birth, no matter where they live.