The New York Times reported today, April 14, that maternal mortality rates have declined significantly worldwide. Like all research, there are critics and proponents of the accuracy of the statistics. But what’s clear, is that simple interventions, like the ones Just Like My Child (www.JustLikeMyChild.org) has made together with  Bishop Asili Hospital in rural Uganda, have made a significant impact.

Three years ago, maternal deaths at the hospital were astronomical due to lack of proper medical care, surgery equipment, medical doctors, and an ambulance to transport women who were experiencing obstetrical emergencies. While no one knows for sure what the true rate of maternal mortality is in the villages deep in the bush, the hospital reports a marked improvement in outcomes for women who DO reach the hospital in time.

When I first arrived at Bishop Asili,Hospital in 2006, women were turned away from the hospital by the dozen because there was no way to serve them. Today, a gleaming new surgery centre, trained medical doctors, and adequate instruments for C-sections and laparatomies have turned tragic stories into stories of joy and hope. Women and children who would have otherwise died are now emerging from surgeries with healthy babies, hope, a community that supports them, and a future filled with hope. It’s a miracle to watch.

Simple interventions are what have changed the staggering statistics of maternal mortality.