By providing waiting areas for high-risk-pregnancy women, maternal mortality is reduced to Western European levels.

The idea is as easy as this: Women with high probability of birth complications should spend the last weeks of their pregnancy where expert help is immediately available.

The waiting area, which is located on the hospital grounds, offers opportunities for sleeping, cooking and recreation. Such waiting areas have been proven highly effective, both in the prevention of fistula and reduction of maternal mortality.

women’s hope international supports waiting areas in the Southwest of Ethiopia.