22 Jun A Call to Service: Ensuring Quality Maternal Care in Mali
In 2017, Dr. Namory Camara’s career took a new trajectory when, after seven years of working in private health clinics, he joined Mali’s civil service and was assigned to the Kadiolo Referral Health Center in the Sikasso region. At 37, he was appointed the reproductive health officer in this public facility, responsible for maternity services and working with midwives who had substantially more experience than he did.
“It is a heavy responsibility, but I do my best,” says Dr. Camara. “The position corresponds perfectly to my deepest aspirations which are the well-being of women and children.”
Physicians like Dr. Camara are needed in Mali. Maternal and infant mortality are high, with 325 maternal deaths per 100,000 births and 54 out of every 1,000 children dying before their first birthdays. USAID is working with Mali’s health system leadership to improve maternal, newborn, and child health services at referral health centers such as Kadiolo. With USAID’s support, HRH2030 is training health workers to ensure these services are delivered in accordance with national standards, with an emphasis on quality services. Dr. Camara participated in one of these trainings in 2018, shortly after arriving at the facility.
In our newest photo essay on the Exposure platform, we meet Dr. Camara and learn more about the work he is doing to improve maternal, newborn, and child health in his area. Please click below to read the full story. English and French versions available.
LINK TO EXPOSURE (ENGLISH) LINK TO EXPOSURE (FRENCH)