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Fighting against cervical cancer

Women's health

An estimated 99 per cent of women who die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications live in developing countries. Most of these deaths are preventable.

Be it in conflict, in a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, or in an HIV programme - women are in need of specific care. Reproductive healthcare is an integral part of the medical care we provide, including in emergencies. In areas where maternal death is high, such as in Afghanistan or the Central African Republic, we've opened specific projects to provide care to women. The five main causes of maternal death are haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion, complications linked to high blood pressure, and obstructed labour.

For information on safe abortion care, please visit our dedicated page.

Women's Health

Quick Facts

 
Inflatable hospital set up in the compound of Bethany hospital, Tacloban.
Philippines

I will call her Hope

Project Update 11 Dec 2013
 
Hospital Entrance
Syria

Thriving despite a hard beginning - the story of a premature baby

Project Update 29 Nov 2013
 
first Baby born in the maternity ward of MSF in Guiuan
Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan: First baby born in MSF maternity unit

Project Update 21 Nov 2013
 
Hangu + Peshawar, all uses
Pakistan

The challenge of giving birth and staying alive

Voices from the Field 20 Nov 2013
 
Jordan

MSF opens mother and child hospital in Irbid to support Syrian refugees

Press Release 17 Nov 2013
 
Syria

“It's practically impossible to get emergency obstetric care"

Voices from the Field 24 Sep 2013
 
Luwingu, Zambia
Zambia

MSF hands over maternal health programme in Luwingu district

Project Update 17 Sep 2013
 
Giving birth in South Sudan
South Sudan

MSF and traditional birth attendants save lives

Project Update 2 Sep 2013
 
Afghanistan

A maternity hospital in Khost

Project Update 30 Aug 2013
5000 Children of Adele (EN)
video

5000 Children of Adele (EN)

The 5000 children of Adele

Adele is a Central African midwife in the country's biggest maternity ward in Bangui.

This is the story of what it's like to help deliver babies under gunshots, but also what it means to be a woman in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

fieldresearch.msf.org

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. Read all our Women's Health-related articles on our dedicated Field Research website.

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Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF)