Kaoma Maternity Ward

Location: Kaoma district, Zambia

A gynaecological department for the new hospital

The old hospital in Kaoma District was built in 1957 and greatly needed renovating. In addition, their was no maternity ward, while the need for maternity care is great.

Deliveries took place in the general women's ward, which was filled to capacity. There were only seven beds, which meant there was simply no room for all the women who came to give birth. At times, the mothers to be had to lie on the floor between the beds in the initial stages of delivery. There was also no medial equipment and the inadequate care led to the death of many babies.

Construction of the new hospital began in 2006. Thanks to the financial support provided by Orange Babies, there is a new gynaecological ward with additional delivery rooms and modern medical equipment.

The hospital is nearly complete and has already opened it doors to the nearly 200,000 people living in the Kaoma district. The hospital is expected to assist in nearly 3,000 safe deliveries each year.