Reducing infant mortality
This kind of “teach a man to fish” philosophy is also evident in Taiwan’s approach to its aid to Eswatini. Beginning in 2016 TaiwanICDF partnered with clinicians at Chia-Yi Christian Hospital (CYCH) to work to reduce maternal and infant mortality half way around the world in southern Africa.
Eswatini, which has a population of only 1.3 million (2016), has a maternal mortality rate of 389 deaths per 100,000 live births and a mortality rate in children under five years old of 53 deaths per 1,000 live births. By comparison, Taiwan has maternal mortality of 11.6 per 100,000 and under-five child mortality of 2.4 per 1,000. Eswatini ranks toward the bottom in global rankings, behind even North Korea. Reducing these mortality rates is therefore a major priority for the kingdom.
Eswatini, where polygamy is widespread, also has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. In response, AIDS prevention and treatment resources have been provided free of charge by the international community, notes Solomon C.C. Chen, superintendent at Heng Chun Christian Hospital. This has dramatically reduced AIDS-related mortality overall and lowered mortality from maternal transmission to 2%. Through its efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Eswatini, Chen observes, Taiwan hopes to demonstrate the efficacy of its medical assistance programs to its diplomatic partners and raise its profile in global health circles.
CYCH medical missions have repeatedly visited Eswatini since 2016 and have discovered that prenatal examinations are rare in the country, making it difficult to intervene in high-risk pregnancies and so raising the risk of mortality and premature birth. Moreover because the country’s hospitals often discharge mothers 24 hours after birth due to inadequate medical resources, there is a high risk of hemorrhaging and other dangers that increase the incidence of maternal death.
Faced with such a weak system of maternal care, the CYCH medical team adopted an empowerment-based approach. It trained seed instructors who in turn trained up 240 women as “community health promoters.” Because they are familiar with their local communities, they can visit pregnant women in their homes to educate them and encourage them to go to clinics for prenatal exams, where they can also collect free nutritional supplements to reduce premature births and hydrocephalus (the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain). The community health promoters also identify high-risk pregnancies and remind mothers to seek out prenatal treatment. This reduces complications for both mother and child and helps reduce mortality. Each child saved represents the saving of a whole new life.
A doctor in Eswatini vaccinates a newborn baby. (courtesy of TaiwanICDF)