#SaveAMum 2015 G+ Hangout - Avril (Afro Pop Musician/ AMREF Good Will Ambassador)

https://www.chasebankkenya.co.ke/ The walk is in support of the Stand Up for African Mothers initiative by AMREF which seeks to train 15,000 midwives by 2015 therefore reducing maternal mortality by improving access to reproductive health services. The walk seeks TO RAISE MONEY towards this noble initiative and train sufficient midwives to adequately tend to the mothers in rural Kenya and Africa as a whole. The initiative has garnered monetary support from corporates and individuals alike of whom have shown great interest in The Foundations dedication to reduce maternal mortality through the training of midwives. In addition to financial support, there have been contributions in kind in the form of water and soft drinks, cleaning services and medical services for the walk. Since inception, the Stand Up For Mothers Initiative has trained over 650 midwives in Kenya and 4000 in Africa. Most of the midwives that have been trained have been attached to a health institution in various counties. Once trained, a midwife is able to look after 500 mothers every year and safely deliver 100 babies. Statistics show that approximately 1.5 million African children are left motherless each year while over 40% of African women do not receive pre-natal care, and more than half of all deliveries take place at home without medical assistance. This support will provide women of rural Kenya with pre and post natal care a necessity that has previously not been available to them. “The Chase Group of Companies is keen on women empowerment and this cause is very dear to us. Women are the backbone of society, in nurturing their health we are nurturing the future of not only the country but the continent as a whole. 162,000 women die every year during childbirth due to lack of simple medical care, this walk is one of the many ways we can ensure that this is a thing of the past.” Parmain ole Narikae-Chase Bank General Manager and Chase Group Foundation Chairman stated. It is estimated that there are 30,000 midwives in Kenya but only 15,000 practicing. The ratio of nurse midwives to the population of Kenya is 1:1300. In addition, according to the Kenya Demographics study released in 2008-2009, the leading areas in maternal deaths are Nyanza followed by Coast and then North Eastern. It is areas like those highlighted that the initiative seeks to train midwives. Amref Health Africa Interim CEO Dr Lennie Bazira Kyomuhangi-Igbodipe said: “Amref Health Africa is deeply concerned about the welfare of women and children, particularly those who live in hard to reach parts of Kenya and the African continent with limited or no access to proper and quality health care services. It is sad when a mother bleeds to death while giving birth, just because there was no one with proper skills to save her. And even if her child survives, she or he has to live without a mother.” ‘Women Empowerment is key to the growth of an economy. In Africa, women contribute to over 60% of a household’s income and labor. That in itself is the reason we as the Chase Group of companies are working with AMREF to eradicate maternal mortality. ’Says Paul Njaga, Chase Bank CEO. He goes on to state that ‘It goes without saying that a home is broken without the matriarch as she is the foundation of the family.’ Dr Kyomuhangi-Igbodipe noted with appreciation the support received from the Chase Bank Foundation over the last three years, amounting to over KSh60,000 million so far in support of Amref Health Africa’s Stand Up for African Mothers campaign. This support includes the annual Save A Mum walk TO RAISE MONEY for the training of midwives. “Our partnership with the Chase Bank Foundation is very important because it is helping us realise our goal of saving African mothers. We call upon all Kenyans and Africans to support the campaign by participating in the upcoming charity walk on March 28 2015 and through financial donations for the training of midwives.” In 2012, The Chase Group Foundation entered into a 3 year partnership with AMREF to support the Stand Up For African Mothers Initiative. In order to gain public awareness of this cause, The Chase Group Foundation hosted the first fundraising walk in February of 2013. This walk along with the support of the public worked to reaffirm the Foundation’s position in the provision of maternal care to the women on Kenya. Contacts: Njambi Mahinda Chase Bank Kenya [email protected] G+ Hangout By Richard Njau [email protected]