One of the areas of dire need is maternal and newborn child health. Today, Liberia has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates – 994 women out of every 100,000 die during pregnancy or delivery. This is compared to 24 women out of every 100,000 in the United States. Only 28 percent of the population is immunized and malaria and diarrhea are among the major causes of death among children under five.

In 2007, Liberia developed a National Health Plan, which established policies to address these issues and set forth goals to strengthen the health sector. Today, the Learning Tours delegation visited a community health clinic, established in partnership with the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This clinic reaches a population that would otherwise have no access to basic medical care.

[Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) with child in community health clinic]

The clinic trains traditional midwives to become skilled birth attendants, including Polan Raerae, a 52 year old member of the community. Polan has been trained by the clinic as a midwife and has opened her home to serve as a “birth waiting home.” Polan helps identify pregnant women in the community, ensures that they receive prenatal care and provides them with a place to go when they are preparing for labor and delivery. The clinic also provides immunizations for children and adults, stocks a pharmacy with medical supplies and hosts a children’s club.

[Polan Raerae, 52, community member and midwife]

In this particular county within Liberia, maternal deaths have dropped from 13 out of every 1,000 women in 2010 to 7 out of every 1,000 women in 2011. Community members are learning about nutrition, breastfeeding and family planning, and are equipped with this critical information as they prepare to welcome the newest member of their families.