Mission Statement
Objectives
The Facts

PROSAMI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, specifically focused on reducing maternal and infant mortality/morbidity rate (MMR) in a very poor, undeveloped, underserved rural areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Mission Statement

To provide the rural community with affordable quality health care, in order to allow the infant a good start in life, and the mother a healthy reproductive life that would benefit the community.

Objectives
The promotion of maternal and infant health in the rural areas by:
- improving the quality of perinatal care through appropriate training of health care professionals, defining the standard of care applicable to the rural context.

Prosami is committed to meet its objectives by establishing a pilot center to serve as a training center for local nurses desiring to help rural communities. Also by the creation and establishment of health care centers in areas geographically accessible to the communities to be served.

The program will define the level of training of health care workers, the functional criteria of rural health care centers, policies and procedures, method of reporting statistics.

Prosami will stand as advocate for the rural communities and act as regulatory body for health care professionals within its sector.

Our principle: Prosami is based on the principle that rich or poor, and from whatever walk of life; the pregnant woman and the newborn have the right to affordable quality health care, provided by competent professional hands.

The Facts

Tremendous progress has been achieved in the field of obstetrics and neonatology, with the application of technology and new approaches; the world is applauding considerable reduction in maternal and infantile mortality and morbidity. Many childbirth related conditions which used to cause fatalities among this vulnerable population group can now be treated, making childbirth events safer.

Whereas the world is contemplating this remarkable achievement, unfortunately for a certain category of women, the reality is still obscure.
In the Congo (DRC) where this project is intended, the health sector has suffered the harsh consequences of wars, just like the rest of the infrastructure. This is even worse when it comes to rural areas where:
Health care facilities are practically non existent.
The few “so called” health centers are run by non qualified people who have no access to proper equipment or supply to allow them to provide acceptable care to the mother and child.
Fees are out of reach for the majority of women in rural areas, despite the application of the strategies for the reinforcement of health services (SRSS).

There are so many obstacles to overcome before getting to the nearest health center, on impracticable roads, surrounded by countless risks. As a result, the majorities of pregnant women in rural areas has no access to prenatal care, and choose to give birth at home assisted by traditional birth attendants, neighbors or family members. It is also very common to find people working under the umbrella of the Red Cross, misusing the title to perform as health care professionals, taking advantages of a population in need.

Whereas, the rural population has no choice but to use these so called “health workers,” these people work without any form of regulation. Therefore, they do not have any moral obligation to accept responsibility for their acts and omissions, the rural population uses them at their own risk.

According to some few statistics provided:
Neonatal mortality rate: 48/1000
Annual mortality: 133.824
Progress toward millennium development goal 4 (MDG 4) revealed un average annual rate of reduction (AARR) less than 1.0, indicating no progress.
Progress toward MDG 5 is very slow: Maternal mortality rate was >550 = very high.
There is still an increased rate of childbirth related loss of life due to conditions that have been overcome in many parts of the world. Sequelae or death due to: post partum septicemia, post partum hemorrhage, prolonged labor, anemia and malnutrition, malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes, hypertension (essential and pregnancy induced), cardiac, STD’s and AIDS, umbilical tetanus and unexplained death of mother or child… to name but a few, are still common.

This plight presents multiple issues when one considers the rural area’s context:
The majority of the population is illiterate and ignorant, prone to numerous beliefs and practices which are dangerous to health.
The population lives in poverty and deprivation, with a per capita of less than 1$, with a subsequent pandemic state of malnutrition, making them vulnerable.
There is lack of basic infrastructure: roads, water, electricity, sanitary ablutions…resulting in a constant state of environmental health hazards.