A recent explanation of the work going in Mali...

"There were over 1800 babies delivered last year.    Their average is about that, maybe a little bit higher this year.  The current staff and the facilities themselves are stretched to the max, more staff members are being hired and trained and more physicians are being trained.  A warehouse is almost finished and when it is completed construction will begin on a larger facility for labor and delivery.

Infant mortality in Mali is 7%, infant mortality at the hospital is 1.7%.  The national average for maternal mortality is 10%, I'm going to guess that maternal mortality at the hospital is about 1%.

How has this changed, hmmm, as word of the hospital spreads the number of women coming for help has improved (decreased) the mortality statistics. 

There are multiple items that could be purchased for the hospital.  There is always a need for digital thermometers that read in Celsius and Fahrenheit and have replaceable batteries, newborn and preemie disposable diapers for the babies that cannot go home right away,  children's Tylenol and Motrin (chewable and liquid), children's vitamins (should contain selenium and zinc) neonatal and pediatric stethoscopes,  ultrasound gel.  That should help.  We can always use more booties and blankets for the baby packs.  We often get kimonos and hats but we are always short of booties and blankets.  We assembly the packs here, also.  If your MOPS group wanted to purchase a larger item, there are some specific baby scales that we need to purchase, one set is about $300 and the other is about $600.

Some interesting facts to share:  One is seven African women carries the gene to produce twins.  When were there this past spring, there were five sets of twins born from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon.  Without the hospital and the ability to perform C-sections four of those five sets of twins and their mothers would have died, so, YES, they are making a HUGE difference.

When the hospital first opened there was a question about whether or not the Malian men would allow their women to go to an American Christian hospital.  At first, the women would find a way to get there alone, or their spouses would drop them off outside the gates.  Now, it isn't uncommon to see men inside the gates waiting on their women while they get their checkups or delivery their babies.

Dr. MacLean, the pediatrician, has begun a program to detect syphillus, Hep B and HIV in the moms.  If they are infected and a very high percentage are, they can be given an injection just prior to delivery and the child will not contract the disease.  The tests are about $5.00 per mother.  The program is too new to have any statistics, but Dr. MacLean is certain that the statistics will improve.

While the women wait for their checkups or well baby checkups, a Malian pastor is there telling them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Also, they are being taught basic hygiene for their babies."