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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

 
Dasht-e-Barchi, Afghanistan
Afghanistan

The number of deliveries has doubled since the project opened

Voices from the Field 26 Apr 2016
 
Dasht-e-Barchi maternity in Kabul
Afghanistan

“A postpartum haemorrhage can happen to anyone”

Voices from the Field 26 Apr 2016
 
Dasht-e-Barchi public district hospital in Kabul
Afghanistan

Nurturing premature babies with their mothers’ embrace

Project Update 26 Apr 2016
 
DRC-Mambasa: Emergency medical and psychological care for victims of sexual violence
Democratic Republic of Congo

In Mambasa, MSF teams provide care to four new rape survivors each day

Project Update 25 Apr 2016
 
IDPs in Sortoni camp
Sudan

Conditions in Sortoni camp, North Darfur leave 61,000 residents who fled Jebel Mara in danger

Project Update 22 Apr 2016
 
Ecuador Earthquake
Ecuador

People are very scared Many have had to leave their homes

Crisis Update 21 Apr 2016
 
Moria Reception Centre in Lesbos, Greece
Greece

As a doctor, I feel outraged

Voices from the Field 15 Apr 2016
 
Samos island, Greece
Greece

Will they kill us here in Europe?

Voices from the Field 13 Apr 2016
 
Jeanine and her daughters.
Democratic Republic of Congo

Suffering has been a part of my life. But I fight. I'm still standing!

Voices from the Field 10 Mar 2016
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)