Where women and families live should not determine if they live—this is the philosophy driving Jhpiego’s work in 14 countries to defeat malaria, a disease that impacts millions, primarily in low-income countries. Pregnant women and children under five years old are particularly vulnerable to malaria because of their compromised immune systems. Malaria in pregnancy often contributes to dangerous health consequences for the mother and her unborn baby, including severe maternal anemia, low birth weight and even death. For children under five, malaria remains the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire—A dozen women are gathered in a spacious, first-floor room at Marcory Hospital one Tuesday, listening to a doctor and midwife explain the risks of cervical cancer and the screening services available at this city health facility. Seated among them is Irene, an HIV-positive mother who has returned to Marcory for her annual cervical cancer screening.
The Ebola crisis has dealt a devastating blow to West Africa, killing more than 4,900 people, overwhelming health systems and crippling the health workforce. As an international, nonprofit health organization dedicated to preventing the needless deaths of women and families, Jhpiego is working side by side with the governments of Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria to provide critical infection prevention and control (IPC) assistance to ensure that health workers are safe on the job and prepared to provide lifesaving care to women and families.
