The Situation in Mali

Mali continues to rank amongst the lowest of all countries for key health indicators according to WHO statistics. Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) is 550 and neonatal mortality rate is 42 per 100 births. An estimated 1 in 10 children do not reach their 5th birthday due to causes such as malnutrition. 38% of children under 5 suffers from chronic under nutrition (Mali DHS, 2013). There are multiple underlying causes for high maternal and child morbidity and mortality, nutritional factors are an underlying cause of up to 45% of childhood deaths. There have been improvements in access to safe drinking water for much of the population, but progress in sanitation has lagged. Poor water quality and sanitation leads to diarrhea and other infectious diseases, which are a major cause of malnutrition. In addition, public health provision and quality of care is a major contributor to these low performing health statistics. Public expenditure on health is only around 5.8% of GDP. As a result, Health Centers and hospitals are limited in numbers, and in rural regions are located many kilometers away from communities, many are not equipped with a water supply, adequate resources and specialist care is limited; only around half of births are attended by a skilled health worker (WHO 2017). As a result of this situation, women and children are then highly vulnerable to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. 

Our Solution

The project aims to support mothers and children in rural areas through the construction of a maternity health centre, according to national standard design. The maternity centre will be equipped with:

• A solar powered electricity system to function independently
• Clean water supply and WASH facilities to ensure hygiene and disease are not spread
  • As part of COVID-19 measures, the centre will be provided with initial PPE and WASH kits
• A motorcycle ambulance to ensure ease of access to the centre when needed
• Supply of medicines so the revenue from sale of these will be used to replenish the stock and create a revolving funding mechanism from which regular medicine supply can be ensured 

About Faith Space UK

We are an organisation dedicated to creating community and supporting indiviudals in their spiritual growth. We run regular events in London along with webinars, seminars, and online classes. In the past three years we have grown to support over 2,000 people through our various activities. This year we have chosen to support our friends at Islamic Relief in such a worthwhile cause, in the hope that our community can go some way to building and strengthening communities abroad.

About Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired humanitarian aid and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Established in the UK in 1984, Islamic Relief work in over 45 countries, assist people of all faiths according to need and do not discriminate in any way. Islamic Relief's work in Mali includes emergency relief, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security and livelihoods, maternal care, child wellbeing and protection, and seasonal food distribution.