MAMA project launched to curb maternal deaths in Lesotho

Lesotho has launched a new maternal health initiative aimed at reducing one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

According to the 2023/2024 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey, the country’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 530 deaths per 100,000 live births, placing pregnancy and childbirth among the most dangerous experiences for Basotho women.

Most of these deaths are caused by preventable complications.

In response, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), has launched the Maternal Aid for Mothers Assurance (MAMA) project, an M8 million programme designed to strengthen maternal care services and save lives.

The project was officially launched in Maseru and will be implemented over two years in Maseru and Berea districts, covering 11 health facilities.

Health officials at the launch identified several factors contributing to maternal deaths, including long distances to health facilities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, which often result in dangerous delays in seeking care.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative Blandina Motaung said unwanted pregnancies frequently lead to unsafe abortions, which remain a significant contributor to maternal mortality.

Health professionals attending the launch also raised concerns about gaps in continuity of care, noting that some women receive antenatal care but lack adequate support during labour and in the critical weeks after childbirth.

Women living with disabilities were identified as facing additional barriers in accessing maternal health services.

Maternal Health Manager ‘Mampho Mafereka said the MAMA project focuses on improving both the quality and dignity of care provided to mothers.

Mafereka said respectful maternity care encourages women to seek professional medical assistance rather than giving birth at home.

The project will also promote the use of tools such as the modified partograph, which helps healthcare workers monitor labour and detect complications early.

Instead of responding only to emergencies, the initiative aims to strengthen prevention by identifying high-risk pregnancies early and managing them appropriately.

ADRA Country Director Thotolo Maketekete said the project will place special emphasis on improving referral systems between communities and hospitals to ensure that mothers experiencing complications are transferred quickly.

Maketekete added that the project will also support mothers living with disabilities and ensure that they have equal access to services during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

While the MAMA project currently operates in Maseru and Berea, Maketekete said there are plans to expand it to other districts.

“This project is a necessity, and we want to see it rolled out across the country,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of reducing reliance on donor funding by building strong local systems and partnerships, so that the standards introduced through MAMA become permanent.

Ntsoaki Motaung

Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.

In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.