Hope
For Grace Kodindo (HFGK) Making Birth Safer In Sub-Saharan Africa |
| "Make
Every Day Mother's Day." "Every minute of every hour of every day at least one women dies of pregnancy related complications" It's a FACT, as little as 45 pence saves lives - You can make a real difference!! TO MEET THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL NUMBER 5 (MDG 5) AND TO CUT MATERNAL MORTALITY, AROUND THE WORLD, BY 75% OF IT'S CURRENT RATE, BY THE YEAR 2015, IT WILL COST 6 BILLION DOLLARS. THIS EQUTAES, IN REAL TERMS, TO THE SUBSIDY THE WORLDS DEVELOPED NATIONS GIVES TO AGRICULTURE FOR JUST ONE WEEK!! |
"Hope
for Grace Kodindo" (HFGK) is one of a very small number
of charities, we're possibly even unique, whose single aim
is to have a positive impact by the most direct means possible.
In 2005 the BBC screened a programme
called "Dead Mums Don't Cry" on their prime time
documentary, "Panorama". The programme followed
Chadian Obstetrician, Dr Grace Kodindo as she struggled
to cope with the every day trauma that a normal day at work
in The
Hôpital Général de Référence
in N'Djamena in Chad brings.
Rates
of Maternal Mortality in Chad are among the highest in the
world, 1 in 11 women die in childbirth in Chad.
The
easy way to find out what HFGK is all about is to
watch this video. This is just a short clip but click
here and you can see the entire BBC Panorama
programme which was the catalyst of HFGK's founding
in 2005. You can also view the follow up BBC Panorama
programme documenting our initial visit to Chad later
in 2007. |
|
| Courtesy Of The BBC |
The programme, "Dead Mum's Don't Cry" hit a raw
nerve with viewers around the UK (and subsequently with
people around the world). As a result, countless viewers
contacted the programme with offers of help and support,
the BBC put some of those people in touch with each other
and because of this the charity Hope For Grace Kodindo
(HFGK) was formed.
Once formed HFGK decided it was going to concentrate its
efforts on tackling Millenium Development Goal 5 (MDG
5 - See the bottom of this page). In a very
short period of time HFGK was responsible for massively
reducing Maternal Mortality, due to Eclampsia, in The Hôpital
Général de Référence. One thing
lead to another. HFGK gained the support of The Welsh
Assembly, the Trade Union Unison,
The Charity Advisory Trust and the
recognition of the United Nations. As a result of very quick
and sustained success, HFGK has been approached by a number
of Sub Saharan African nations to help combat their own
problems of Maternal Mortality. HFGK now works in Liberia,
Chad, Uganda,
Sierra Leone, Somaliland
and Northern Nigeria!
The simple fact is, and something we in the West should
remember, the success gained has not been the result of
throwing millions of pounds at the problem. It has come
about because HFGK managed to identify and recognise the
problem - the lack of very simple, very cheap drugs in these
countries. Magnesium Sulphate and Misoprostol are the drugs
in question. Both of which are virtually non existant in
Sub Saharan Africa. HFGK have initiated supply and maintained
supply of these two very affordable drugs and countless
lives have been saved as a result!
Around the world the Charity's profile has continued to
rise since its conception, it is constantly being asked
for help. Only with your support are we able to continue
to achieve impressive results -
45p DOES Save a Life!
TO MEET THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT
GOAL NUMBER 5 (MDG 5) AND TO CUT MATERNAL MORTALITY, AROUND
THE WORLD, BY 75% OF IT'S CURRENT RATE, BY THE YEAR 2015,
IT
WILL COST 6 BILLION DOLLARS. THIS EQUTAES, IN REAL TERMS,
TO THE SUBSIDY THE WORLDS DEVELOPED NATIONS GIVES TO AGRICULTURE
FOR JUST ONE WEEK!!
To find out more about the work of HFGK please browse through our web site.
You can help make a difference - It's true, 45pence can prevent another mother falling victim to one of many very cureable, but deadly, conditions and in doing so prevent another baby from suffering the uncertain future that awaits the baby in the picture above. Donate Now!
United
Nations Millennium Development Goal (5) (HFGK's adopted goal) |
In 2000, the United Nations set ambitious Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015. These include Goal number 5, that of reducing maternal mortality by 75%. In 2008, at the half way point towards 2015, this goal is the one on which there has been the least progress. In 1987, the Safe Motherhood Initiative was launched worldwide in order to make pregnancy and childbirth for women and babies in the developing world as safe as in the developed. To date, there has been no overall reduction in maternal mortality. 99% of deaths occur in the poorest women on earth, some 526,000 a year. A significant number of these deaths are caused by Eclampsia and Post Partum Haemorrhage, avoidable and treatable conditions using medications which are readily available in the West and cost less than the cost of a bar of chocolate.
More about the MDG's Here
