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Where we work > Africa > Mali
Mali
Needs in Mali
The Republic of Mali is a landlocked country located in northwestern Africa. Nearly 80 percent of the 12 million residents rely on subsistence farming for their survival. Farmers wage a constant battle against deteriorating soil and the encroaching desert—making Mali an especially difficult place to live. Because of the difficult environment, lack of infrastructure and widespread poverty Mali is ranked 173 out of 177 on the 2008 Human Development Index.
In Mali, 12 percent of babies die at birth and more than a fifth of children of children die from preventable diseases before reaching their fifth birthday.
Women also suffer from exceptionally high mortality rates. Only four in 10 expecting mothers receive prenatal care or assistance with their delivery and often do not have help when complications arise. The maternal mortality rate in Mali is nearly 73 times higher than the rate in the USA.
Medical Teams International in Mali
In 2004, Medical Teams International received a large private donation to construct the pediatric wing of the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children. The hospital is the first to offer specialty services outside of Bamako, Mali's capital city. In partnership with the Centre Protestante pour l’Assistance Medical au Mali (CPAM), we completed construction of the pediatric wing in February 2006. Since the hospital's opening, Medical Teams International has sent eight OB/GYN medical training teams to Koutiala Hospital.
Plans for 2008-09
Medical Teams International will send four medical teams to support the ongoing OB/GYN training needs at Koutiala Hospital. We'll also send two volunteer dental teams to provide care and hygiene education in partnership with Organisme de Developpement pour l'Esperance au Mali (ODES).
We're also partnering with CPAM to fund a rural Portable Ultrasound Project. Last year we facilitated the donation of seven portable ultrasound machines for use at Koutiala Hospital and six nearby clinics and also sent an initial training team. This year we will send two additional teams to continue training the hospital and clinic staff to use this lifesaving ultrasound technology.
Partner information
Centre Protestante pour l’Assistance Medical au Mali (CPAM) has been a primary provider of health care in Mali for several years. CPAM’s six existing rural clinics are known for their high quality of care. CPAM is the Malian medical program of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, which has provided medical care in Mali since 1923.
Organisme de Developpement pour l'Esperance au Mali (ODES) is a church-based, nongovernmental organization that works in eight project areas: leadership development, water issues, literacy and education, economic development, food security, environment protection, micro-credit and disaster relief. Medical Teams International will send dental volunteers to help ODES with their community programs.
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