Feb 3, 2010 / 14:15 pm
MaterCare International (MCI), an international organization of Catholic health professionals dedicated to the care of mothers and their born and unborn children, has answered the call of the Missionaries of Charity to provide care for Haitian women and their babies.
While many organizations have rushed to provide aid to the quake-stricken nation, much of the aid being provided is for very basic needs. Organizations are focusing on providing food, shelter or basic medical care. However, as MaterCare’s Executive Director Dr. Rob Walley pointed out, “pregnancy does not stop because of a disaster of this kind.”
Following the earthquake, there has been a great need for obstetrical care.
“From previous experience in East Timor, after the occupation forces left and during the Kosovo crisis back in 1999, it seems that the needs of women during pregnancy and childbirth are forgotten as if pregnancy and birth can be put on hold,” Dr. Walley said.