What is the name of your organization?
MamaBaby International
What is the name of your solution?
Strengthen Midwifery in Haiti
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Increasing the efficiency of Midwifery Care in Haiti through Electronic Health Records system designed by Midwives for Midwives
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Oregon, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Haiti
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Haiti has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere. 1 in every 23 infants die before the age of 1. 1 in every 286 women die of pregnancy related causes, childbirth, or immediate postpartum. One of the major contributing factors is Haiti’s lack of skilled health professionals. There are only 0.65 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 1,000 people. World Health Organization recommends 4.45 doctors, nurses and midwives per 1,000 people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, there are less than 500 professionally trained Midwives. According to the WHO, at least 2,200 Midwives are needed in Haiti to significantly reduce maternal deaths.
Haiti’s constant civil unrest further exacerbates the country’s already struggling healthcare system which faces a scarcity of resources, lack of electronic health records systems and insufficient health professional training programs. Daily, valuable time is wasted with paper-based health records. Paper-based health records is cumbersome due to inefficient and time-consuming storage, retrieval, and information sharing which delays patient care and potentially increases the risk of errors. The lack of Electronic Health Records systems prevents effective chart reviews, data collection, data analysis, and reporting which makes it very difficult to track health trends and improve care.
What is your solution?
In 2024, the WHO stated that investing in midwifery care represents a cost-effective and urgently needed solution to save and improve the lives of women and newborns globally. MamaBaby International runs two birthing centers and Midwifery School in Haiti. We provide FREE prenatal, birth, postpartum and newborn midwifery care, vaccination program, a nutrition program for malnourished pregnant and nursing women and mobile clinics.
The translation for “Midwife” in Haitian Creole is "Fanm Saj” which is a term that literally means "woman" (Fanm) and “wise" or “wisdom” (Saj). By combining the ancient wisdom of Midwifery care with advance medical technology, we developed a solution that effectively centers Haitian traditions and cultural practices to collectively improve maternal health and reduce the rates of maternal and infant mortality in Haiti. The focus is on strengthening Midwifery Care in Haiti by building capacity through education and technology by providing the necessary resources and tools to increase efficiency of service and care delivery by Haitian Midwives and other staff at MamaBaby Haiti’s Birth Centers. Our plan is to implement ClientCare which we are granted free access through an In-Kind donation as our electronic health records and practice management system at MamaBaby Haiti’s Birth Centers.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
.We serve the Economically disadvantaged people, Haitian Birthing Families, Haitian Pregnant women, Haitian Babies, Haitian Midwives.
Haiti faces immense challenges, including the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere. Women often give birth alone or in unsafe conditions, with limited access to trained providers, leading to preventable deaths. These systemic inequities are exacerbated by political unrest and gang violence, creating a humanitarian crisis. Food and clean water are scarce and unaffordable, and most Haitians live on less than $5 a day. Despite these challenges, MamaBaby Haiti remains open and serves as a lifeline.
While many maternal health organizations in Haiti close due to strikes, instability and civil unrest, MamaBaby remains steadfast and continue to provide free care free while providing support to our local Midwives. MamaBaby fills a unique gap by providing free, culturally competent care in a region where women often choose to give birth alone rather than sacrifice feeding their families. Our services extend to mobile health clinics in remote villages. We also provide aid to abuse victims, including pregnant minors forced into slavery and women who have experienced rape. Our work transforms lives and sets a standard for accessible, community-based maternal healthcare worldwide.
