Mali
Situation Report
The Republic of Mali is a landlocked country located in northwestern Africa. Nearly 80 percent of the 12 million residents rely on subsistence farming for their survival. Farmers wage a constant battle against deteriorating soil and the encroaching desert—making Mali an especially difficult place to live. Because of the difficult environment, lack of infrastructure and widespread poverty Mali is ranked 173 out of 177 on the 2008 Human Development Index.
In Mali, 12 percent of babies die at birth and more than a fifth of children of children die from preventable diseases before reaching their fifth birthday.
Women also suffer from exceptionally high mortality rates. Only four in 10 expecting mothers receive prenatal care or assistance with their delivery and often do not have help when complications arise. The maternal mortality rate in Mali is nearly 73 times higher than the rate in the USA.
Our Work
In 2004, Medical Teams International received a large private donation to construct the pediatric wing of the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children. The hospital is the first to offer specialty services outside of Bamako, Mali's capital city. In partnership with the Centre Protestante pour l’Assistance Medical au Mali (CPAM), we completed construction of the pediatric wing in February 2006. Since the hospital's opening, Medical Teams International has sent 19 OB/GYN medical training teams to Koutiala Hospital, and one dental team to our partner, Organisme de Developpement pour l’Esperance au Mali (ODES).
Future Plans
In partnership with CPAM, Medical Teams International is supporting a rural Portable Ultrasound Project. Medical Teams International has facilitated the donation of seven portable ultrasound machines for use at Koutiala Hospital and five nearby clinics and also sent three training teams. This year we will send one ultrasound training team to continue training the hospital and clinic staff to use this lifesaving ultrasound technology. Medical Teams International is partnering with Massachusetts General Hospital’s Division of Global Health and Human Rights to conduct a case study assessment to document the impact of the Ultrasound Project.
Medical teams International is also partnering with ODES to send one volunteer dental team to provide care and hygiene education.
Medical Teams International will send three medical teams to support the ongoing OB/GYN training needs at Koutiala Hospital.
Volunteers are still needed for these teams, including OB/Gyn physicians, dentists, hygienists and dental assistants.
Our Partners
- Centre Protestante pour l’Assistance Medicael au Mali (CPAM) has been a primary provider of health care in Mali for several years. CPAM’s six existing rural clinics, along with their referral hospital, Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children are known for their high quality of care. CPAM is the Malian medical program of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, which has provided medical care in Mali since 1923.
- Organisme de Developpement pour l'Esperance au Mali (ODES) is a church-based, nongovernmental organization that works in eight project areas: leadership development, water issues, literacy and education, economic development, food security, environment protection, micro-credit and disaster relief. Medical Teams International will send dental volunteers to help ODES with their community programs.
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Global Health and Human Rights whose mission is mission is to care for the world's most vulnerable by developing and facilitating health-care delivery, research, education, and capacity-building initiatives.
RELATED LINKS